Festival of Roses

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.