Festival of Roses
Celebration of the scented rose in the fairy-tale gardens of Château du Rivau
About Roses of Rivau
The Rose Queen at Château du Rivau
Every year at the beginning of June, the Château du Rivau in Léméré celebrates the scented rose during an exceptional weekend dedicated to the queen of flowers. This event, organized as part of the national Rendez-vous aux Jardins, showcases the estate's extraordinary rose collection, one of the most important in France.
A Scented Rose Conservatory
The gardens of Château du Rivau are home to a Scented Rose Conservatory, certified by the CCVS (Conservatoire des Collections Végétales Spécialisées - Conservatory of Specialized Plant Collections). This exceptional collection, created by Patricia Laigneau, brings together over 500 varieties of roses and 1,600 plants, from old roses to contemporary creations. Damask roses, China roses, English roses, modern roses: all rose families are represented in a unique olfactory journey.
Botanical Walks and Sensory Workshops
The Festival of Roses offers guided botanical walks through the gardens, allowing visitors to discover the history and characteristics of each rose variety. Sensory workshops invite participants to explore the scents of roses, identify different olfactory families, and understand the secrets of perfumery. Experts and specialist nursery growers are on hand to provide cultivation and care advice.
Creative Workshops and Activities
Creative workshops for children and adults punctuate the weekend: making rose crowns, botanical watercolor painting, creating rose-based cosmetic products. Readings, garden activities, and meetings with artisans and producers complete the festive program.
The Fairy-tale Gardens of Rivau
Château du Rivau, a 15th-century medieval fortress classified as a Historic Monument, is surrounded by fourteen fairy-tale gardens designated as 'Remarkable Gardens'. Each garden tells a story from fairy tales and legends, blending contemporary art and creative gardening. The Gargantua's Vegetable Garden, the Enchanted Forest, the Rapunzel's Garden, and many other areas form a four-hectare fairy-tale trail where nature meets imagination.
Roses of Rivau — edition 2026
The Rose Festival returns on June 6 and 7, 2026, to the Château du Rivau in Léméré, as part of the Rendez-vous aux Jardins. Two festive days from 10 am to 7 pm dedicated to the fragrant rose, with over 50 exhibitors, workshops, guided tours, a rose christening, and a vocal concert in the heart of the magical gardens.
2026 Edition: a dream weekend centered around the fragrant rose
On June 6 and 7, 2026, the Château du Rivau opens its magical gardens from 10 am to 7 pm for the Fête de la Rose (Rose Festival), a flagship event of the Touraine spring and an official participant in the Rendez-vous aux Jardins of the Ministry of Culture.
Visitors are invited to a dream weekend centered around the CCVS-labeled Conservatory of Fragrant Roses, which gathers 512 varieties of roses from over 1,600 plants: old roses, English roses, Damask roses, modern roses, climbing and shrub roses, all labeled and freely accessible.
50 exhibitors from the world of gardening
Around fifty exhibitors will be present in the gardens: collector rosarians, renowned nurserymen, artisans, garden decorators, specialized booksellers, and gourmet producers. A unique opportunity to meet passionate professionals who bring the world of roses to life in France.
A highlight: the christening of the 'Fée du Rivau' rose
On Sunday, June 7, at 4:30 pm, rosarian Dominique Bézy will proceed with the christening of the new 'Fée du Rivau' rose, an original creation that joins the Château's collection. The concert by the vocal ensemble ElaNaveVa will close the event at 5 pm.
On-site catering
Two restaurants will be open on the estate during the weekend: la Table des Fées and the gourmet restaurant Jardin Secret (reservations recommended).
Programme Roses of Rivau 2026
Saturday, June 6, 2026 (10 am – 7 pm)
- 11 am — Guided tour of the gardens and the Conservatory of Fragrant Roses
- 11:30 am — Workshop by Ophélie Magnani on medieval medicinal roses (90 min, reservation required)
- 2 pm — Guided tour of the gardens
- 2:30 pm — Workshop by Ophélie Magnani on medieval medicinal roses (90 min, reservation required)
- 3 pm — Vegetable ink workshop led by Océane Baudewyn (90 min, reservation required)
- 4 pm — Guided tour of the gardens
- 4:30 pm — Workshop by Ophélie Magnani on medieval medicinal roses (90 min, reservation required)
- 5:30 pm — Guided tour of the gardens
Sunday, June 7, 2026 (10 am – 7 pm)
- 10:30 am — Vegetable ink workshop led by Océane Baudewyn (90 min, reservation required)
- 11 am — Guided tour of the gardens and the Conservatory of Fragrant Roses
- 2 pm — Guided tour of the gardens
- 3:30 pm — Guided tour of the gardens
- 4:30 pm — Christening of the 'Fée du Rivau' rose, a new creation by rosarian Dominique Bézy
- 5 pm — Concert by the vocal ensemble ElaNaveVa in the gardens
- 5:30 pm — Guided tour of the gardens
Throughout the weekend
- Free access to the Conservatory of Fragrant Roses (512 varieties, CCVS label)
- Over 50 exhibitors: rosarians, nurserymen, artisans, booksellers, gourmet producers
- Family photo rally through the 14 magical gardens
- Advice from Rivau gardeners on rose care and pruning
- Game booklets for children to discover roses
Highlights Roses of Rivau 2026
- 512 varieties of fragrant roses from the CCVS-labeled Conservatory, with free access
- 50 exhibitors from the world of gardening: rosarians, nurserymen, artisans
- Christening of the new 'Fée du Rivau' rose on Sunday at 4:30 pm
- Concert by the vocal ensemble ElaNaveVa on Sunday at 5 pm
- Thematic workshops on medicinal roses and vegetable ink
- Guided tours several times a day, included in the admission ticket
- Family activities included: photo rally, game booklets for children
Prices Roses of Rivau 2026
Practical information — Roses of Rivau
Practical Information
Access
Château du Rivau is located in Léméré, 10 km south of Chinon.
- By car: D749 from Chinon, then D116 towards Léméré. Free parking.
Opening Hours
- Saturday and Sunday: 10 am – 7 pm
Prices
- Adult: €10
- Child (5-18 years): €6
- Family (2 adults + 2 children): €28
- Student / Job Seeker: €7
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Vous avez repéré une erreur ou une information manquante ?
Aidez-nous à garder cette fiche à jour. Toute proposition est relue par notre équipe avant publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Where does it take place — Roses of Rivau
Château du Rivau
9 rue du Château, 37120 Léméré