Arboretum Gaston Allard

In the heart of the Pays de la Loire region lies a wonderful natural corner — the Gaston Allard Arboretum. This municipal botanical garden, located in the city of Angers, features a unique collection of woody plants from around the world, spread across 7 hectares.

Gaston Allard Arboretum. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

This collection-park showcases the full beauty and richness of the flora provided by France and other corners of the globe. It is home to approximately 4,300 specimens of trees, including rare oak species and an impressive collection of conifers. One of the arboretum's main gems is the national hydrangea collection, which includes over 750 taxa.

The Gaston Allard Arboretum is more than just a park; it is a living open-air museum where exotic species are acclimatized. Strolling through its shaded alleys, you can encounter rare specimens such as the Chinese false quince or the Mongolian lime, making it a must-visit destination for all nature lovers.

For more information about visiting or special events, you can use the official contact details.

Visitors to the arboretum can enjoy an exciting journey through several themed zones. The "Garden of the Five Senses" deserves special attention, where plants are selected to stimulate sight, hearing, touch, smell, and even taste. Don't forget to visit the Shade Garden and the Trial Garden, where thousands of decorative plants are gathered across thousands of square meters.

For those interested in science, the on-site herbarium will be a real discovery. Its archives contain over 350,000 plant specimens collected in the 19th and 20th centuries. This priceless collection allows you to touch the history of botanical research and see the rarest examples of flora.

If you are looking for tranquility, the Gaston Allard Arboretum offers the perfect conditions for a quiet retreat. Here, you can wander for hours among century-old oaks and sequoias, enjoying the harmony of nature far from the city noise, or take a short educational walk with the whole family.

Reaching this green oasis is easy, as it is located within the city at 9 Rue du Château d'Orgemont. If you prefer to travel by private car, free parking is provided for visitors directly at the entrance.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the arboretum is a great stop on the route, as it is included in the famous La Loire à Vélo cycling network. A bike ride allows you to enjoy the landscapes of the Loire Valley before immersing yourself in the park's atmosphere. You can also quickly reach the entrance by taxi from the city center or the main train station.

Public transport in Angers also provides convenient access to the park. You can use city bus routes heading to the southern part of the city, making a visit to the arboretum accessible to every tourist.

The history of this place began in 1863, when the passionate botanist and dendrologist Gaston Allard started planting the first rare trees on his private estate — the closerie de la Maulévrie. The first to appear were majestic sequoias, plane trees, and chestnuts, many of which have reached impressive sizes today.

Over the decades, Allard tirelessly expanded his collection: in 1875, he laid the foundation for the conifer collection, and in 1878, he planted the famous oak alley. Before his death in 1916, the scientist bequeathed the arboretum to the Pasteur Institute so that his work could continue to serve science.

In 1960, the territory became the property of the city, and today, the botanist's former home houses the botany department of the Angers Museum of Natural Science. The Gaston Allard Arboretum carefully preserves its creator's legacy, constantly adding new themed gardens.

To leisurely explore all the themed zones and enjoy the silence, a typical visitor will need 1.5 to 3 hours. This is enough time to see the main tree collections and walk through the "Garden of the Five Senses."

If you are passionate about botany or plan to study the herbarium in detail, it's worth setting aside half a day for your visit. A walk through the 7-hectare grounds encourages long contemplation and relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The arboretum doors are open to residents and visitors daily. You can visit the park from Monday to Sunday, with fixed opening hours: 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

A pleasant bonus for tourists is that admission to the park is completely free. This provides a great opportunity to return several times during your trip to see the plant collection in different light.

A visit to the arboretum can be easily combined with exploring other iconic city landmarks. Discovering the surrounding area will allow you to dive deeper into the rich history and culture of the Pays de la Loire region.