A true paradise of a thousand
sources for an extensive tour of
botanical world.
Treat yourself to a green break between mountain and river
A few kilometers from the Vercors, the territory of Saint-Marcellin hides extraordinary gardens: an aquatic paradise petrified by limestone springs, terraced Renaissance gardens, a collection of miniature trains lost in Japanese maples…
These places have in common that they invite you to slow down, observe, and breathe. With each season, they reinvent themselves: spring blooms, a haven of summer coolness, autumn colours. A green and poetic interlude between Valence and Grenoble.
The Valentinoise 
The Pebble with the Owls
Gaeo photo
The Valentinoise 
Gaetan Mahe
The Sone
garden of petrifying fountains
Born from a thousand-year-old geological curiosity, the tufa, this certified garden Remarkable Garden since 2018 It immerses you in a fascinating aquatic setting. Tufa waterfalls, natural pools, more than 800 exotic, aquatic, Mediterranean and tropical plant species… All orchestrated with poetry by passionate gardeners.
Marion CarcelSaint-Bonnet-de-Chavagne
the gardens of the castle of arthaudière
From classified flowerbeds to terraces facing the Vercors: this heir to the art of Renaissance gardens offers a unique historical and sensory perspective, enriched each year by temporary exhibitions in this site steeped in history.
Anne-Lise Salazarchoranche
the aromatics of choranche
Chocolate mint, Damask rose, helichrysum, hyssop… Matthieu guides you through his aromatic and medicinal plants overlooking the Moulin-Marquis waterfall. During the botanical tours organized in the warmer months, taste, smell, and leave with unique, handcrafted herbal teas.
Nacho GrezBeauvoir-en-Royans
the bee garden of the Coulmes honey farm
A stone's throw from the site of the Couvent des Carmes is the honey garden created by the Miellerie des Coulmes, its eco-museum and its small educational farm offer you a place to relax and stroll to discover insects, flowers and the profession of beekeeper.
"These gardens are not simply flowerbeds; they are living stories, cultivated for centuries in the heart of the Vercors. Every plant, every stone, every spring tells a story about the land."
Manuel Izquierdo
Cat
the railway & musical garden
People come here for the trains, but they are enchanted by the garden!
Japanese pruning techniques, dwarfed maple trees, and miniature trains running continuously create a striking illusion of greenery. Every corner holds a surprise; sometimes several visits are needed to discover everything, including the unusual film scenes hidden within the vegetation.
Itinera MagicaSaint-Antoine-l'Abbaye
the medieval garden of the museum
Housed in the abbey's former stables, the medieval garden at the Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye Museum immerses visitors in the art of medieval gardens: aromatic plants, medicinal herbs, old roses, and fruit trees flourish around a fountain and pools. Four distinct areas comprise this unique botanical and olfactory journey in the Isère region: the Garden of Paradise, the Perfumer's Garden, the Medicinal Plant Garden, and the Arab-Andalusian Celestial Garden, each revealing a facet of medieval botany. An unexpected nature break, to be enjoyed as an extension of your visit to the Favorite Village of the French 2025.
Saint-Marcellin Vercors Isère CommunityVinay
the large dryer park
Facing the foothills of the Vercors mountains, this landscaped park tells the story of walnut cultivation in the Isère region. A conservatory of walnut trees from around the world, an arboretum, a sculpture trail inspired by Andersen… A family-friendly space where culture and nature meet.
Achille MartinonBeauvoir-en-Royans
medieval garden & heritage orchard of the Carmelite convent
Three areas of rare botanical richness: the medicinal herb garden, the vegetable garden featuring heritage vegetables, and an orchard of 200 heritage fruit trees. A living link to the horticulture of medieval abbeys.
Rendez-vous aux jardins
Three days a year, secret, private or remarkable gardens exceptionally open their doors to the general public. Guided tours, workshops, meetings with gardeners… it's the perfect opportunity to discover places usually inaccessible, for a weekend in June.
