This weekend, despite the gloomy weather in Paris and across the rest of our beautiful country, we are going to celebrate gardens with several events to encourage us to step outside (which isn’t easy given the current weather).

But let’s not get discouraged by the bad weather; let’s take advantage of these events to get a little closer to nature, flowers, and all that, by planning a weekend with a bucolic vibe.

The 2013 Rendez-vous aux Jardins:

This year, the 11th edition of the national event Rendez-vous aux jardins will take place on Friday, May 31st, Saturday, June 1st, and Sunday, June 2nd, 2013 all over France.

This event opens the doors for visitors to public or private gardens, protected as historical monuments in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Communication.

This meeting is an opportunity to attend workshops, participate in activities, and meet gardeners and owners of exceptional gardens in over 2,200 locations across France.

This event is accessible to everyone and free for most activities, so don’t hesitate to visit the event’s website to see what’s happening near you!

Find the full event program at http://www.rendezvousauxjardins.culture.fr

Jardins, jardin at the Tuileries 2013:

The Jardins, Jardin event will be held at the Tuileries in Paris from Friday, May 31st to Sunday, June 2nd, 2013.

This renowned Parisian show is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, as well as the 400th anniversary of André Le Nôtre’s birth.

On the program: workshops (culinary ones in particular!), conferences, activities (some for children), a literary tea party, the Outdoor Design village, and more.

Practical information:

Open Friday, May 31st and Sunday, June 2nd, 2013 from 10 AM to 7 PM and Saturday, June 1st, 2013 from 10 AM to 9 PM

Adults: €12
Reduced: €9 / €7 (proof required)
Children (under 18): free (proof required)

L’Art du Jardin at the Grand Palais:

After 10 years of absence, Art du Jardin returns to the great delight of all nature enthusiasts and garden lovers under the legendary glass roof of the Grand Palais.

Truffaut, which is a partner of this event, will offer a sustainable and vintage vegetable garden of 300 m2 for the occasion, as well as demonstrations and advice at its stand.

Practical information:

Open Friday, May 31st, Saturday, June 1st, 2013 from 10 AM to 9 PM, Sunday, June 2nd, 2013 from 10 AM to 7 PM, and Monday, June 3rd, 2013 from 10 AM to 5 PM

Adults: €18
Students: €14 (proof required)
Children (under 12): free
Free entry for people named Olivier and women with a first name of a flower or fruit (according to an online pre-list + upon presentation of ID)

Grand Palais / avenue Winston Churchill 75008 Paris

Express GIVEAWAY:

Once again, I have the opportunity to spoil you thanks to Truffaut, because I am offering you the chance to win 1 x 2 invitations for Art du Jardin at the Grand Palais (public entry valid during the 4 days of Art du Jardin) on the blog.

To participate, simply leave a comment below this article telling me why you want to go to this event.

A lucky draw will determine the winner of the 2 invitations! Good luck to everyone.

Rules:

– Contest limited to Metropolitan France

– Transport to the Grand Palais is at the winner’s expense

– + 1 chance if you are a fan of the blog’s facebook page; + 1 chance if you follow the blog’s twitter page; + 1 chance if you follow the blog’s hellocoton page (don’t forget to leave your username in your comment if you want to benefit from extra chance(s), and you can thus accumulate up to 3 extra chances)

– 1 entry per IP address

– Contest start date: Monday, May 27th, 2013 – deadline for participation: Wednesday, May 29th, 2013 and results the next day on the blog as an edit to this article