The medieval city of Provins, a UNESCO World Heritage, has a unique garden that reveals the history of the rose and more than 300 varieties of roses.
At the heart of the medieval city of Provins , between upper town and lower town, is a green that nature lovers will have to discover: the Rose of Provins.
Dominated by the monuments of the old city, this magnificent garden of 3.5 acres featuring over 300 varieties of roses staged by theme. A golden opportunity to let themselves tell the story of the rose, the queen of flowers valued since antiquity for its beauty and fragrance.
Darling, let's see if the pink ...
The tour begins with the discovery of old roses (cultivars dating from before 1867), the most famous is the Rosa Gallica Officinalis , commonly called Rose of Provins. Emblem of the medieval city, it was reported from Damascus in 1240 by Count Thibaud IV of Champagne on his return from crusade in the Holy Land.
Among the old roses, visitors can admire many other Gallic varieties of roses, such as the famous rose Cardinal de Richelieu, but the roses of Damascus (natural hybrids occurred in Asia Minor) or Centifolia, those famous pink one hundred tassel-shaped leaves.
The walk continues with the rustic appearance of the so-called modern roses: hybrid teas (derived roses imported from China with cargoes of tea), large-flowered roses, roses English ... So many varieties to assess their color, shape and of course their fragrance.
New to the Rose Garden: the Garden of Simple
Inspiration of the greatest poets and writers, the rose, particularly the Rose of Provins, played a major role in pharmacopoeia. Indeed, they helped to cure all sorts of ailments: phthisis, upset stomach, eye problems ...
To recall the importance of flowers and medicinal plants, the Rose Garden now has a garden of simple, which presents many plants with medicinal properties Medieval: dill, angelica, artichokes, comfrey, cabbage, fennel, lemon balm, purple, mint, hops ...
Practical Information
Hours of the Rose Garden of Provins :
From April 2 to 30, 2011: weekends from 14h to 18h.
From 1 May to 2 November: every day from 10 to 19.
From November 3 to December 24: weekends from 14h to 18h.
Rates:
High season: 5 €.
Low season: 3.50 €.
Children: free up to 12 years inclusive.
Guided tours by reservation. |
