On the weekends from May 17th to June 1st, 2014, Paroles de Jardiniers returns for its 3rd edition with 105 different events, highlighting flowers in all their forms.
Yvelines Tourisme, in collaboration with the Yvelines General Council, invites all gardening enthusiasts to three exceptional weekends.
The goal of the event is to meet the incredible gardeners of the Yvelines, whether they are professionals from large estates or amateur hobbyists, to share this common passion and discuss knowledge and tips.
Yvelines Tourisme offers yet another program full of discoveries this year, thanks to special encounters not only with gardeners but also with cooks and florists who will showcase gardens in bloom, share the secrets of a beautiful bouquet, or host edible flower tasting workshops…
“Paroles de jardiniers” is also about encounters between these professionals and young audiences through a dozen events offered throughout the department.
Melle Bon Plan’s selection:
- At the Domaine de Trianon, a tour (tips and explanations) by Alain Baraton, featuring the discovery of places usually kept secret: the Trianon nursery and the greenhouses of the National Estate of Versailles.
Domaine de Trianon Tour on Sunday, May 18th at 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM Duration: approximately 1 hour Free entry - Reservation mandatory on the website Meeting point in front of the Grand Trianon gates, Palace of Versailles Park
- In the superb park of the Château de Groussay in Montfort L’Amaury
An aviary, an obelisk, a Tartar tent, a labyrinth and its temple, a theater of greenery, a Palladian bridge, a pyramid, a Temple of Love, a Chinese pagoda, and an observatory column—yes, but beyond the structures, visitors will discover an ornamental garden, remarkable trees, perennials, and annual flowers.
– Orchid workshop: continuous from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
– Floral demonstration or how to learn the craft of making a bouquet: continuous, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
– Lecture on 18th-century gardens (duration 1h30): at 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM
Château de Groussay Tour, workshops, and demonstration on Sunday, May 18th, continuously from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Free entry - Information and reservation on the website Meeting point at the Château de Groussay - Route de Versailles in Montfort L’Amaury
- In the heart of the Chevreuse Valley, the wonderful world of the Jardin du Bois du Fay, by Mark Rudkin, an American landscaper who enhances the garden and has made the Yvelines his home.
Accompanied by his gardener, he welcomes visitors to show his creation but also and above all to tell the story of “his garden.”
Jardin du Bois du Fay Tours on May 17th and 18th, at 10:00 AM and 2:30 PM (Duration 2 hours) Free entry - Information and reservation on the website Meeting point at 3 bis, avenue des Bruyères - Le Mesnil-Saint-Denis
- The Jardin des Senteurs, flowers everywhere, in Versailles. This garden offers a true floral show and is a must-visit spot dedicated to plants and perfumes.
– Olfactory workshops on May 17th from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
– Tips and tricks shared by the Union Potagère of Versailles (also on May 31st) on May 17th from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
– The Piano Impromptu, a concert in the heart of the Cour des Senteurs (the lovely adjacent courtyard) on May 17th at 5:30 PM
– Discovery of the countless plants of the Jardin des Senteurs during a guided tour on May 24th at 2:30 PM and 4:00 PM
– The Cour des Senteurs offers a violin duo on May 24th at 5:30 PM
– Flower costume workshops for children on May 31st at 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM
Jardin des Senteurs Free entry on May 17th, 24th, and 31st - Reservation and full program on the website Meeting point at Cour des Senteurs, 8, rue de la Chancellerie – Versailles
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- At the gates of Rambouillet, the 3,000 m² flower garden Les Aubépines, belonging to Marie-Thérèse and Christian.
On May 24th, 25th, and 31st, continuous tours and discussions for free discovery from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, exchanges and discussions at 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM (small group of 15 people)
Jardin Les Aubépines Free entry - Information and reservation on the website Meeting point at Mr. and Mrs. Lambert's - 8, rue du pont des Murgers – Auffargis
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- The green space specialists from the Coignières Town Hall are taking over the Parc de la Prévenderie
– Setup of a participatory flower garden scene at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM
– Kids special: layout of a flower space and creation of garden decorations at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM
Parc de la Prévenderie Free entry on May 25th - Information and reservation on the website Meeting point at rue de la Prévenderie and avenue de Maurepas – Coignières
- A day to learn everything at the Parc Patrice Vieljeux in Bougival
– An educational path and fun workshops for children
– Games about tools and a planting workshop
– Workshop to recognize condiments, legumes, and fruits by taste
– Discovery workshop using the sense of smell
– Exhibition on the world of bees
– Workshop to recognize small potted plants by sight
– Exhibition to discover the diversity of plants
Parc Patrice Vieljeux Free entry - Continuous on May 17th from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM - Reservation on the website Meeting point at avenue Charcot, on the Ile de la Chaussée – Bougival
- With future gardeners and teachers from the CHEP, Centre Horticole d’Enseignement et de Promotion (Horticultural Center for Education and Promotion).
– Event for children about the environment and plants
– Workshop for transplanting, potting, and repotting flowers, condiments, and vegetables
– Tour of the park, the arboretum, and the rose garden
Centre Horticole d’Enseignement et de Promotion Free entry on May 24th - Events at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM Reservation on the website Meeting point at 43 avenue De Gaulle - Le Tremblay-sur-Mauldre
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- Collaborative gardening with a swap at the Domaine de Madame Elisabeth in Versailles.
The collaborative revolution highlights the exchange of skills and materials. Seeds, plants, tips, techniques, advice—Paroles de jardiniers invites everyone to swap and share.
– Plant swap (seeds, cuttings, plants, know-how) – Continuous from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
– Floral composition workshop with florist Céline Froissart, where all participants can take home their table arrangement – At 2:00 PM and 3:30 PM
– Kids special: transplanting and repotting workshop, continuous from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Tasting flowers at the Domaine de Madame Elisabeth in Versailles on May 24th
– Cooking workshop and demonstration on the theme of flowers with the General Council’s head chef at 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 4:00 PM
Domaine de Madame Elisabeth Free entry on May 17th - Information and reservation on the website Meeting point at Domaine de Madame Elisabeth, 73 avenue de Paris – Versailles
- In the Chevreuse Valley, History and values at the Jardin de Cocagne, in Magny-les-Hameaux
Located at the Ferme de Buloyer, a former 17th-century seigniory, this organic vegetable garden is also a social integration garden.
– Writing, singing, and poetry workshop in the educational gardens from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
– Tour of the garden and presentation of the vegetables grown at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 4:00 PM
– Beekeeping event at 2:30 PM and 3:00 PM
Jardin de Cocagne Free entry on June 1st - Information on the website Continuous from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM Meeting point at Ferme de Buloyer, 2 rue Pierre Nicole – Magny-les-Hameaux
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- Fill your basket with plants and advice at the Poissy Flower Market.
40 “exhibiting professionals” share their valuable advice (beekeepers, garden decor designers, gardening specialists, landscapers…)
The little extra: children will enjoy “budding gardener” activities
Poissy Flower Market Free entry on May 31st – Information on the website Meeting point at Place de la République in Poissy – Continuous from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Rambouillet at the heart of Paroles de jardiniers (events with the gardeners of the town of Rambouillet).
– Discovery of the new automated municipal greenhouses
– Tour of the gardeners’ secret locations
Meeting point at 49, rue de Groussay in Rambouillet – May 24th at 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM (Duration 1 hour)
– Meeting with the gardeners of the Jardin de la Motte. Here, perennials have replaced annuals, a unique opportunity to come and discuss a beautiful transformation with the gardeners.
Meeting point at 42, rue de la Motte in Rambouillet – May 24th at 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM (Duration 1 hour)
– Tour of the Parc Nature de Groussay
Meeting point at rue de Groussay in Rambouillet – May 31st at 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM (Duration 1 hour)
– A meeting and tours with the gardeners of the National Estate of Rambouillet and the “Villes d’Art et d’Histoire” lecturers.
Meeting point in front of the Château de Rambouillet, May 31st and June 1st at the Arboretum of the Queen’s Dairy at 3:00 PM (Duration 1 hour)
Free entry – Reservation on the website
- “Spectacle Garden“, a day of magic, poetry, and family creation on June 1st, in the heart of the National Estate of Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
Yvelines Tourisme and the National Archaeology Museum – National Estate of Saint-Germain-en-Laye have partnered to create an event for the closing day of Paroles de Jardiniers and the 12th edition of Rendez-vous aux jardins.
A festive day for children and their families, blending imagination, humor, and a love for flowers, with a program designed by the Compagnie La Constellation (artistic direction: Alexandre Ribeyrolles).
– Starting at 2:00 PM in the National Estate: “Complètement Swing” by the Cirque Exalté company (duration 45 min)
– Floral decoration workshop with Céline Froissart, a florist, to learn from a professional and take home your composition at 2:00 PM and 3:30 PM (duration 1h30)
– Workshop introducing the world of perfume composition and perfume creation for men, women, and children, with the participation of perfumer Marie-Pier Lecard at 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM, and 5:00 PM (duration 1 hour)
– Cooking workshop and demonstration on the theme of flowers by the head chefs of the Yvelines General Council (DEJS) at 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 4:00 PM (duration 1 hour)
– The teams from the CFA for Horticulture and Equestrian Trades of Saint-Germain-en-Laye offer a floral jewelry creation workshop
– The Saint-Germain-en-Laye Tourist Office offers a guided tour with a lecturer: to become an expert on the history of French gardens, the English garden, and the famous Terrace designed by Le Nôtre.
– “Help little Louis find the gardener’s treasure” (family exploration tour for ages 7 and up), a journey from the Middle Ages to the present day at 11:00 AM, 2:30 PM, and 3:15 PM (duration 1h30)
– “Draw me a herbarium,” a family tour punctuated by drawing and sketching breaks at 11:00 AM and 2:45 PM (duration 1h30)
Many other sites and gardeners are offering activities during this 3rd edition of Paroles de Jardiniers.
To learn more, you can consult the program on the event’s dedicated website to get details and practical information.
