Botanical garden
of Vauville

Discover the unmissable gardens of La Manche

In the north of La Manche, the Botanical garden of Vauville is a haven of peace and the perfect place to get away from it all. With more than 1 000 species of southern plants in a park of 4.5 hectares, the garden offers a complete change of scenery just a few metres from the beach. Nestling in the Cotentin countryside and warmed by the Gulf Stream, this oasis of greenery will take you on a sensory journey. If you love gardens, there are a number of other gems that you should visit in La Manche. We’ll tell you more about them.

Visit the Botanical garden of Vauville

(The jardin botanique de Vauville)

Amazing gardens

From the beach in Vauville, it’s hard to believe there are several hectares of exotic gardens just a hop away.
The journey begins as you enter the Botanical garden of Vauville. Stroll through the Chinese palm grove and admire the southern species, Mediterranean garden and aquatic flowers. As you go through the different areas, you’ll travel from country to country. A festival of colours and fragrances, the garden reveals different treasures over the course of the seasons.

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Photo, © Franck Boucourt - Jardin de Vauville

A family affair

Created in 1948 by the perfumer and traveller Eric Pellerin and his wife, the Jardin de Vauville continued to expand and develop in the 1980s in the hands of Guillaume Pellerin and Cléophée de Turckheim. In 2017, it was taken over by the grandson, Eric Pellerin: a passion for botany passed down from generation to generation! Today, the Jardin de Vauville is a listed “Remarkable Garden” and is on the French Supplementary List of Historical Monuments.

Château de Vauville

a gem of architecture in a natural setting

Why not take a break in this haven of greenery to enjoy the view of the Château de Vauville? Set against the backdrop of its beautiful botanical garden, this château is a treasure from the past, with its impressive tower, walls and moat. It’s now a private property, but you can enjoy the lovely view from the outside.

The educational farm

spotlight on the animals of La Manche

A visit to the Botanical garden of Vauville is also a nice way to spend time with your family. Gardening enthusiasts will enjoy identifying their finds and discovering unexpected species. Further on, children will be amazed by the lilies floating on the water and the birds resting on the colourful leaves.

Be sure to explore the educational farm at the Botanical garden of Vauville, a nice visit for all the family. It presents the farm animal breeds of La Manche, some of which are endangered. A great way to enjoy time with the family and to teach your children about biodiversity, animal wellbeing and the living heritage of La Manche.

Which gardens to visit in La Manche?
Our selection

The Plant Garden of Coutances

The Jardin des Plantes

Coutances

Enjoy a breath of fresh air in the centre of Coutances! Head to the Plant Garden with its rare trees, pretty flower beds and shady copses for some peace and quiet. Stroll around and enjoy the mixture of French, English and Italian styles for a botanical tour of Europe! Different events are held in the garden throughout the year. In summer, the Plant Garden of Coutances is the setting for the Jazz sous les Pommiers festival, a must for visitors.

The Plant Garden of Coutances

Christian Dior garden

Granville

In 1906, Christian Dior’s parents bought the Villa Les Rhumbs, which is now the Dior Museum. In 1925, Christian Dior decided to install a pergola with a reflecting pool, to which a rose garden was added according to the wishes of his mother, Madeleine Dior. The rose garden was restored and extended in 2002, and is an unmissable part of this romantic garden overlooking this sea. In summer, stop for break and a treat at the tearoom, in the middle of the flower gardens.

Tatihou Gardens

Jardins de Tatihou

Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue

Cast off and head to Tatihou Island to explore its themed gardens teeming with biodiversity! Enjoy the sea breeze and salt spray on this unique botanical escapade. Stroll around the island’s three successive gardens, including the maritime garden, with lots of different species stretching over three hectares in the shelter of the Tatihou lazaretto.

Tatihou Gardens

Jacques Prévert tribute garden

Port Racine

A stone’s throw from the unmissable Port Racine, enter the bucolic world of Jacques Prévert, with this romantic garden created as a tribute to the poet. Nestled near Saint-Germain-des-Vaux, you’ll find an intimate garden where groves of trees, hydrangeas and aquatic plants create a poetic atmosphere. As you stroll along the paths, you can enjoy some of the texts and poems written by Prévert.

Jacques Prévert tribute garden

Château de Nacqueville Park

La Hague

Prepare for a magical journey in the park of the Château de Nacqueville in La Hague. Enjoy this pretty English style park with its wonderful views of the sea. As you stroll around the gardens, admire the magnificent hydrangeas and rhododendrons. The palette of natural colours contrasts with the stone façade of the Château de Nacqueville, one of the most beautiful manor houses in La Manche.

Château de Nacqueville Park

Château des Ravalet PARK

Tourlaville

Enjoy a walk in the 18 hectares of the superb park at Château des Ravalet, recreated by Viscount René de Tocqueville in 1872. Explore the English and French gardens as you move from one ambiance to another and discover exotic trees, rockeries and water features. At the heart of the park, you’ll find the 19th century rotunda glasshouse, one of the few that exist in Normandy.

Château des Ravalet park

Jardin d’Elle

Villiers-Fossard

The Jardin d’Elle is a celebration of botanical creativity that’s well worth a visit if you’re near Saint-Lô. With more than 2 500 plant species blooming in its themed gardens, it takes you on an inspiring journey. Also a listed Bird refuge, the Jardin d’Elle is a haven of peace and tranquillity.

Jardin d'Elle

The Clos des Pieds nus

Picauville

Fancy trying an original nature walk? Take off your shoes and enter the sensory garden in the heart of the Marais du Cotentin et du Bessin Regional Nature Park. The Clos des Pieds Nus is a 1.5 km barefoot trail specially designed so you can enjoy the sensations as you walk across different materials, including sand, straw and pebbles. Treat your toes!

The Clos des Pieds nus

Emmanuel Liais Park

Cherbourg-en-Cotentin

A listed Jardin Remarquable (Exceptional garden) and Eco Jardin (Eco-garden), Emmanuel Liais Park is a surprising botanical haven in the heart of Cherbourg. You can travel from one continent to another as you follow the paths, admiring the different exotic species that fill the park. From the tropical forest, step into the cactus desert, before entering the greenhouse. There are lots of unexpected areas for you to explore.

Emmanuel Liais Park

Plant Garden of Avranches

Jardin des Plantes

Avranches

If your trip to La Manche takes you to Avranches, don’t miss the botanical garden with its 12 different areas. Camellias, maples, rhododendrons, and much more: each garden has its own atmosphere, with unique colours and fragrances. What makes this haven of greenery so special is its fantastic view of the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel. From the promontory, let your eyes travel all the way to the sea!

Plant Garden of Avranches

Visit the private gardens
of La Manche

La Manche also has lots of private gardens that you can explore with the “Cotentin Côté Jardins” association, which has a list of individual gardens in the area. These plant and horticulture enthusiasts take pleasure in opening their gardens to visitors.

Cotentin Côté Jardins