Burgundy’s Parks and Gardens

LE PARC DU MOULIN-A-TANS, SENS

The parc du Moulin-à-Tan offers a fantastic collection of tropical plants to discover. Take for example, the Victoria cruziana – a giant water lily from the Amazon – it’s so enormous you’d think it was false! After the one hour visit of the greenhouses, you will be able to wander round the eight hectare park with its animal enclosures, playgrounds and paths.

LE JARDIN DU CHÂTEAU DU PERCEY
A 4 hectare park that’s rich with hundred year old trees and box hedges dating from 1920 and a yew tree labyrinth. It’s worth visiting in springtime for its beautiful collection of tulips and daffodils.

THE PRIORY GARDENS SAINT LOUPIERE
The old priory garden’s are to be found at the foot of the beautiful church Saint Germain that houses some of the most rare mural pictures in France.

BOUTISSAINT ANIMAL PARK
For a family outing, why not picnic in the Boustissaint Natural Park? Situated between Treigny and Saint Sauveur in the Yonne, it’s a delightful day out. When you enter the park, you will see hundreds of deer roaming free whilst admiring the wild boar and buffalo at a safe distance (they are kept in an enclosure!). There’s also a children’s play area with swings, peacocks, geese ducks and goats…

THE VANNEAU WATERMILL
Vanneau in the Saints-en-Puisaye Puisaye in the Yonne is most definitely somewhere to go to recharge your batteries! Sheep, donkeys and miniature pigs roam the farm free and a ride in the horse drawn carriage will really please the kids. Fishing is also possible on the pond and for those of you interested in medicinal plants, you can go on a guided tour of the wetland botanical pathway. If you feel peckish, why not eat in the ‘auberge’ and taste the local farm produce.

THE BOTANICAL PATH AT MAILLY LE CHÂTEAU
Free access to a nature reserve that’s classed with a maximum protection label is unusual to say the least. In the ‘Bois du Parc’ you will discover this remarkable site with its protected species of plants that grow on the fossilised chalky coral soil. Probably the best way to visit is with a guide, visits are organised throughout the summer period.

© Jacquie Boulton-Bridoux