Nestled in a small valley in the Vendôme countryside, the Jardin du Plessis Sasnières seduced us with its authenticity and soothing atmosphere.
Created by Rosamée Henrion with the passion of a true botanist and lover of English gardens, this remarkable garden, which has been awarded the French Ministry of Culture label, is well worth a visit. The variety of atmospheres, from colorful mixed borders to refreshing waterfalls and panoramic views over the village, makes this an ideal getaway.
In this article, you'll find our photos and tips for making the most of your visit to Jardin du Plessis Sasnières.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Why visit the Jardin du Plessis Sasnières?
Is the Jardin du Plessis Sasnières worth it? Our review
Yes, without hesitation. This garden stands out for its authenticity and successful English-style approach, far removed from the overly formatted gardens we sometimes find. What particularly impressed us was the quality of the botanical work: the mixed borders with their carefully thought-out color harmonies, the rigorous labelling of the plants in Latin, and above all the sensation of discovering a living garden in perpetual evolution. The fact that you can walk freely on the grass and choose your route according to your time and mood adds to this feeling of freedom.
Why is the Jardin du Plessis Sasnières famous?
The Jardin du Plessis Sasnières has become known as "the most English of French gardens". Its creator, Rosamée Henrion, was inspired by the gardens of England, which she deeply admired, to design this exceptional place. Opened to the public in 1996 at the encouragement of his botanist friends, the garden quickly gained recognition, and in 2004 was awarded the prestigious "Jardin Remarquable" label by the French Ministry of Culture.
Our favorite
We enjoyed the variety of the different areas, especially the vegetable garden. What we found touching was to discover that this nourishing space exists thanks to the passion of a couple: they devote their weekends to growing fruit and vegetables, some of which end up on the plates of the garden's restaurant. The organization is impeccable, as meticulous as a tableau vivant. This is exactly what makes the soul of this garden: passionate people who perpetuate the spirit of Rosamée Henrion by giving of their time to bring the place to life.
History in brief
- 19th century: Construction of the current château, outbuildings and various buildings on the estate.
- 1883: Acquisition of the property by the Henrion family.
- 1939-1960: A vacation camp rents the property for over twenty years.
- 1980s-1990s: Rosamée Henrion inherited the property, restored the house and gradually created the garden, using the natural geography of the valley.
- 1996: Opening of the garden to the public, encouraged by botanist friends. Development and planting are accelerating.
- 2004: Awarded the "Jardin Remarquable" label by the French Ministry of Culture, in recognition of the quality of the work carried out.
- Today: After Rosamée Henrion's death, the team of gardeners continues her work and keeps the garden alive in her spirit.
WHERE TO STAY IN THE Loire Valley
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
Access: Jardin du Plessis Sasnières, Sasnières
Where is the Jardin du Plessis Sasnières?
The Jardin du Plessis Sasnières is located in the small village of Sasnières, 3 allée Rosamée Henrion, in the Loir-et-Cher region:
- 18min drive from Vendôme
- 40min from Blois
How do I get there?
By car: From Vendôme, take the D917 towards Châteaudun, then follow the D28 towards Sasnières (approx. 20 minutes). From Paris, allow 1h45 via the A10 Vendôme exit, then head for Châteaudun. The garden is well signposted in the village.
By train: The nearest station is Vendôme-Villiers-sur-Loir on the Paris-Tours line (1h from Paris Montparnasse). From there, take a cab or hire a car to Sasnières (15 km).
Parking
Free parking is available at the entrance to the property, with plenty of space for visitors.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars - one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a fairly compact car (many villages have narrowed the road).
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- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating...
Best time to visit
Unlike some gardens with a specific spectacular flowering period, the Jardin du Plessis Sasnières has been designed to offer interest in every season. Flowering lasts from spring to autumn.
If you can, come along to the Plant and Local Produce Market!
Every year, during the mid-May weekend, the garden invites local nurserymen and producers to come and showcase their expertise.
An opportunity to see the garden from another angle. Find out more here.
Length of visit and main difficulties
The great thing about Jardin du Plessis Sasnières is that it really does adapt to your time and fitness:
- The "Around the Pond" tour (45 min) is easy and suitable for everyone, including people with reduced mobility.
- The tour "in the heart of the garden" (1h) allows you to explore the Enclos Fleuri and most of the landscaped areas, with the exception of the park.
- The complete "from park to garden" tour (1h30) climbs to the property's highest point. Be careful, the slope is really steep! But the effort is rewarded by a superb panoramic view of the garden above and its village surroundings.
Allow between 1h and 2h depending on the tour you choose.
There are no difficulties other than the size of the site. Note also that the walkways are regularly mowed English grass, so watch out for slippery conditions in wet weather.
At the end of your visit, take a look around the boutique, which features a wide range of gardening tools and country decorations!
Advice on how to visit
The route is free. It's up to you to choose the tour you prefer!
A map at the entrance will help you find your way around:
Visiting with children
The garden lends itself well to a family visit, provided children enjoy nature walks. The pond, waterfalls and stream usually capture their attention, and the opportunity to run freely on the lawns is a real plus. On the other hand, it's not a garden with play areas or specific activities for younger visitors.
Schedules and rates
The garden is generally open from April to October, Thursday to Monday, 10am to 6pm.
Admission is €12 for adults.
For up-to-date opening times, we recommend you visit the official website here.
Guided tours
Group tours can be arranged on request.
For individuals, the on-site gardeners are also a mine of information, happy to answer any questions you may have about the particular features of the plants on display.
Catering
We invite you to take a gourmet break in our tearoom, where original home-made pastries (such as chocolate beet cake) await you in a bucolic setting.
DISCOVER Blois
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An authentic English garden
There are no geometrical flowerbeds here, and no string-pulling paths: the Jardin du Plessis Sasnières cleverly exploits the natural relief of the valley to create a variety of atmospheres. The Enclos Fleuri forms the heart of the garden, with its mixed borders organized by color theme: yellow and white, pink and blue, dark colors... Each bed has been designed to offer staggered flowering from spring to autumn, creating a permanent spectacle that evolves with the seasons.
We were also particularly struck by the plant structure, with hedges and topiaries that punctuate the space without ever enclosing it.
A walk between water and greenery
Water is the soul of this garden. The circuit around the pond, the easiest and most accessible to all, offers a refreshing stroll along the banks where the plantations are reflected. The shady stream that meanders through the valley creates a soothing ambience, while the waterfalls add a touch of sonic dynamism to the whole. We loved walking along these English lawn paths, mowed twice a week, which really give the impression of a living, well-tended garden.
A plant conservatory
The rigorous Latin labeling testifies to the botanical passion that drives this place: Rosamée Henrion has conceived her garden as a veritable plant conservatory, where each plant has its own story to tell. The apple arbour is a perfect illustration of this approach: flowers in spring, shade in summer, red fruit in autumn.
A LITTLE MORE patience
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