Fête des Jardins de Thiron-Gardais
The Percheron meeting for garden lovers
About Fête des Jardins Thiron-Gardais
A green setting steeped in history
Each spring, the gardens of the Collège Royal et Militaire de Thiron-Gardais, owned by Stéphane Bern, open their doors to host the Fête des Jardins. Nestled in the heart of the Parc naturel régional du Perche, about 1h30 from Paris, these medieval-inspired gardens offer an exceptional setting for this celebration of the plant world. The landscaper Louis Benech participated in the restoration of these spaces, replanting over 1,600 species of flowers and trees.
An exceptional plant market
The Fête des Jardins brings together nursery owners, horticulturists, landscapers, and artisans who come to present their finest creations. Visitors can discover rare plants, old varieties, garden furniture, quality tools, and specialized books. Over the years, this plant market has become a must-attend event for both amateur gardeners and professionals in the Centre-Val de Loire region.
Conferences, workshops, and activities
Beyond the market, the event offers a rich program of conferences led by botany and gardening specialists. Practical workshops allow visitors to learn various techniques: cuttings, creating floral arrangements, ecological gardening. Children are not forgotten with dedicated activities that introduce them to the world of plants in a fun and educational way.
The gardens of the Collège Royal
The thematic gardens of the abbey estate are a remarkable visit in themselves. The tour reveals a herb garden, a vegetable garden, an aromatic garden, a flowered cloister, a lime tree alley, a rose garden, and a 12th-century fishpond once used by Benedictine monks. Together, they form a living testament to the art of gardens through the centuries, between monastic heritage and contemporary sensibility.
An event in the heart of Perche
The Fête des Jardins is part of the cultural and tourist dynamic of Perche, a region recognized for the quality of its landscapes, built heritage, and way of life. The event helps to promote this exceptional terroir and attracts visitors each year from all over the Centre-Val de Loire and Île-de-France regions, charmed by the beauty of the place and the richness of the exchanges.
Fête des Jardins Thiron-Gardais — edition 2026
The 7th Garden Festival was held from Friday, May 1st to Sunday, May 3rd, 2026 in the gardens of the Collège Royal et Militaire de Thiron-Gardais, property of Stéphane Bern. Three days of plant market, conferences, workshops, and entertainment in a historic setting in the Perche, in the presence of Stéphane Marie, host of the show Silence, ça pousse.
7th Garden Festival — May 1st to 3rd, 2026
For its seventh edition, the Thiron-Gardais Garden Festival took over for three days the gardens of the Collège Royal et Militaire restored by Stéphane Bern, in the heart of the Eure-et-Loir Perche. Open from 10 AM to 7 PM on Friday and Saturday, then from 10 AM to 6 PM on Sunday.
The event brought together nurserymen, horticulturists, landscapers, artists, and garden furniture manufacturers for a large outdoor plant market, complemented by thematic conferences, practical workshops, and activities for children. Stéphane Bern, owner of the premises, and Stéphane Marie, host of Silence, ça pousse, were the main guests of the 2026 edition.
Besides the market and the program, visitors could freely explore the estate and its thematic gardens restored by landscape architect Louis Benech: herb garden, vegetable garden, aromatic garden, flowered cloister, lime tree alley, rose garden, and 12th-century fishpond.
Programme Fête des Jardins Thiron-Gardais 2026
Friday, May 1st, 2026 — 10 AM to 7 PM
- 11 AM — Christening ceremony of the Collège Royal rose
- 2 PM — Conference « The history of the centenary sequoia »
- All day: plant market (nurserymen, horticulturists, landscapers), garden furniture exhibitors and artistic creations, workshops and activities for children
Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 — 10 AM to 7 PM
- 2 PM — Conversation with Stéphane Marie, host of Silence, ça pousse
- 3 PM — Book signing session with Stéphane Marie
- All day: plant market, conferences, gardening workshops, children's activities
Sunday, May 3rd, 2026 — 10 AM to 6 PM
- 2 PM — « I'm stopping digging » with Antoine le Maraîcher
- All day: continuation of the plant market, last day of activities and workshops
Highlights Fête des Jardins Thiron-Gardais 2026
- 7th edition of the Garden Festival in the exceptional setting of the Collège Royal restored by Stéphane Bern
- Stéphane Marie (Silence, ça pousse) as main guest, conference and book signing on Saturday
- Christening ceremony of a new rose of the Collège Royal on Friday
- Plant market bringing together nurserymen, horticulturists, landscapers, and artists
- Botanical conferences, practical workshops, and children's activities for three days
- Free access to the thematic gardens restored by landscape architect Louis Benech
Prices Fête des Jardins Thiron-Gardais 2026
Practical information — Fête des Jardins Thiron-Gardais
Practical Information
Access
The Collège Royal et Militaire de Thiron-Gardais is located at 6B rue de l'Abbaye, 28480 Thiron-Gardais, in the heart of the Parc naturel régional du Perche, about 1h30 from Paris.
- By car: From Chartres, take the D921 then the D922 towards Thiron-Gardais (approx. 50 km, 45 minutes). From Le Mans, follow the N23 then the D922.
- By train: Chartres station (TER from Paris-Montparnasse), then connection by bus or car.
Opening Hours
Open from 10 am to 6 pm. Admission includes access to the gardens and all activities.
Catering
Catering stands are available on-site with local products from Perche.
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Where does it take place — Fête des Jardins Thiron-Gardais
Jardins du Collège Royal et Militaire de Thiron-Gardais
12 rue de l'Abbaye, 28480 Thiron-Gardais