Les Fleurs de Mai de Saint-Benoît
The regional capital of flowers and plants
About Fleurs de Mai
Les Fleurs de Mai: Saint-Benoît's Spring Event
Since 2003, the town of Saint-Benoît, awarded 4 flowers and located near Poitiers, celebrates the return of spring each year with a major regional event: Les Fleurs de Mai. For two days, the first weekend of May, the city center transforms into a vast open-air plant fair, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from all over Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
150,000 Plants Over 30,000 m²
The scale of the event is impressive: over 60 specialized producers and nurseries take over the pedestrian streets and squares of the town center to present 150,000 plants and flowers over more than 30,000 m². Perennials, herbs, roses, climbing plants, shrubs, vegetable plants, orchids, cacti, medicinal plants... the offering is exceptionally rich, with rare varieties and expert advice from passionate professionals.
An Enchanting Journey Between Heritage and Botany
The visitor route winds from the Place du 8 Mai 1945 to the crossroads of Rue de la Gare, passing by the Abbey of Saint-Benoît, the Dortoir des Moines cloister, and the Jardin d'Images. This exceptional heritage setting gives the stroll a unique dimension, blending Romanesque architecture with a profusion of plants. Guided botanical tours are offered on Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings, allowing visitors to learn to identify regional plants.
Thematic Animations and Conferences
Each edition is dedicated to a different theme—medicinal plants, plants and climate, garden greening—with conferences at the Dortoir des Moines, practical workshops, and free plant giveaways accompanied by explanatory fact sheets. The event is entirely free and accessible to all, including people with reduced mobility.
An Event Rooted in the Territory
Supported by the municipality of Saint-Benoît and a team of dedicated volunteers, Les Fleurs de Mai contributes to the horticultural influence of the Vienne department and Grand Poitiers. The city center is entirely pedestrianized for the occasion, with free shuttle buses departing from La Hune every 20 minutes. The event has become a major family gathering where experienced gardeners, amateurs seeking advice, and strollers charmed by the colors and scents of spring mingle.
Fleurs de Mai — edition 2026
The 23rd edition of Fleurs de Mai in Saint-Benoît was held on Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3, 2026, from 8 AM to 6 PM, on the theme "Lilies of Africa and America". More than 60 specialized producers and nurserymen took over the pedestrianized city center to present 150,000 plants across 30,000 m². This edition was marked by the consideration of the drought context, with an offer largely oriented towards water-efficient plants (cacti, perennials, vegetable garden plants).
2026 Edition — "Lilies of Africa and America"
The 23rd edition of Fleurs de Mai took place on Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3, 2026, on the theme of lilies of Africa and America. As every year, the town center of Saint-Benoît was entirely pedestrianized to welcome more than 60 specialized producers and nurserymen and 150,000 plants spread over 30,000 m².
Activities and botanical tours
Two guided botanical tours were offered starting from the Tourist Office: on Saturday, May 2 at 3 PM and on Sunday, May 3 at 10 AM (duration 1h30, free, no reservation required). The Salle Capitulaire hosted an exhibition of books and magazines on horticulture and garden ornamentation, organized by the local bookstore "Lire Ma Page". A team from ANCRE was present to advise visitors on their purchases. Residents of Saint-Benoît were offered a plant of their choice from several varieties (Oenothera Speciosa, Oenothera Missouriensis, Tanacetum Robinson) to participate in the collective beautification of the city.
An edition focused on climate adaptation
Covered by the regional press (ICI Poitou), the 2026 edition took place in a context of water restrictions, which led producers and visitors to favor more water-efficient plants: cacti, perennials, aromatics, and especially vegetable garden plants, which were in high demand. Water-intensive flowers (especially hydrangeas) gave way to more rustic and edible species.
Catering and access
A catering area was set up on the former Prieuré stadium, behind the Jardin d'Images. Free shuttles served the city center from La Hune every 20 minutes, from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Programme Fleurs de Mai 2026
Saturday, May 2, 2026
- 8 AM–6 PM — Flower market opening: more than 60 producers, 150,000 plants over 30,000 m² in the pedestrianized town center
- 10 AM–6 PM — Free shuttles every 20 minutes from La Hune
- All day — Salle Capitulaire: exhibition of books and magazines on horticulture ("Lire Ma Page" bookstore)
- All day — Purchase advice with the ANCRE team
- All day — Free plant distribution to residents (Oenothera Speciosa, Oenothera Missouriensis or Tanacetum Robinson, choice of)
- 3 PM — Guided botanical tour, departure from Tourist Office (1h30, free, no reservation required)
Sunday, May 3, 2026
- 8 AM–6 PM — Flower market (continuation and end)
- 10 AM — Guided botanical tour, departure from Tourist Office (1h30, free, no reservation required)
- 10 AM–6 PM — Free shuttles from La Hune
- All day — Activities in Salle Capitulaire and plant distribution
Edition theme: "Lilies of Africa and America".
Highlights Fleurs de Mai 2026
- 23rd edition on the theme "Lilies of Africa and America"
- More than 60 specialized producers and nurserymen
- 150,000 plants exhibited over 30,000 m²
- Entirely pedestrianized town center, free shuttles from La Hune
- Two guided botanical tours (Saturday 3 PM, Sunday 10 AM)
- Free plant distribution to residents
- Edition marked by adaptation to water restrictions (cacti, perennials, vegetable garden)
Prices Fleurs de Mai 2026
Practical information — Fleurs de Mai
Practical Information
Access
By car: Saint-Benoît is located 5 minutes south of Poitiers. Follow the "Centre-ville" signs. The city center is pedestrianized during the event.
Free shuttles: Shuttles run every 20 minutes from La Hune, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Opening Hours
Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Prices
Free admission.
Botanical Tours
Departures from the Tourist Office: Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m.
Contact
Mairie de Saint-Benoît — Tel: 05 49 37 44 00 — www.ville-saint-benoit.fr
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Where does it take place — Fleurs de Mai
Centre-ville de Saint-Benoît
Centre-ville, Place du 8 Mai 1945, 86280 Saint-Benoît