Fête des Jardiniers

The Fête des Jardiniers: thirty years of horticultural passion at Château du Lude

Created in 1994, the Fête des Jardiniers has established itself as one of the major events in the horticultural calendar in the Grand Ouest. The Château du Lude, whose gardens are labeled Jardin remarquable (Remarkable Garden), offers a unique heritage setting for this event which celebrates the art and practice of gardening in all its forms each year.

The festival brings together around a hundred specialized exhibitors: renowned nurserymen, seed merchants, collectors of rare plants, garden artisans, and local producers. Visitors discover exceptional varieties not found in traditional commerce, benefit from expert advice from passionate professionals, and learn about responsible and ecological gardening techniques.

The Gardens of Château du Lude: a living heritage

The gardens of Château du Lude are among the most beautiful gardens in France. They span several hectares and offer a succession of enchanting landscapes: the fragrant rose garden with hundreds of old and modern varieties, the vegetable labyrinths, the botanical collection gathering rare species, and the kitchen garden cultivated using traditional methods. The château itself, an architectural gem blending Gothic, Renaissance, and Classical styles, majestically overlooks the Loir valley.

A rich program for all audiences

Beyond the horticultural exhibition, the Fête des Jardiniers offers a varied program of activities:

• Gardening workshops: practical advice, expert demonstrations for responsible and ecological cultivation
• Poultry exhibition: presentation of traditional and rare poultry breeds
• Children's workshops: discovery of plants, creative activities around nature
• Garden tours: rose garden, labyrinths, botanical collection, kitchen garden
• Carriage rides on Sunday afternoons

The P.J. Redouté Prize: editorial excellence in the service of botany

The Fête des Jardiniers also hosts the presentation of the prestigious P.J. Redouté Prize, which rewards the most beautiful gardening and botany books in French. This award, created twenty-five years ago, contributes to the cultural and scientific influence of the event, attracting authors, publishers, and discerning amateurs from around the world.

An event rooted in its region

Located on the borders of Sarthe, Anjou, and Touraine, between Le Mans and Tours, the Château du Lude benefits from a microclimate conducive to a wide variety of crops. The Fête des Jardiniers contributes to the tourist and cultural influence of the Loir valley, bringing together several thousand visitors each year in a warm and friendly atmosphere.