Colette Gardens
The gardens offer a unique and fun escapade for all ages. There's a butterfly maze, giant games and events all year round, where you can play and awaken your senses in the footsteps of the novelist Colette. In short, a must-see in our top 14 places to visit.
Jardins de Colette: a bold and responsible destination!
- Water management has been applied for several years now, and a choice of plants adapted to drought conditions is favoured.
- All organic matter is used (decoration, compost, furniture construction, etc.). Here we are responsible, not guilty!
- Eco-planting has been in place for many years.
- In 2022, the park became a refuge for the French League for the Protection of Birds.
- Plenty of outdoor activities for all the family: giant games, maze, etc.
- Want to take home a souvenir? There's an on-site shop selling quality local products.
The gardens
The gardens are designed as a tribute to Colette and all the places where she lived. This 5-hectare floral park takes you on an engaging journey through Burgundy (the region where she was born), Franche-Comté (where she married Willy), Brittany, Corrèze (where her daughter Bel-Gazou was born) and Provence (where she met her last husband). Finally, the journey ends at the Jardin du Palais Royal, where she died.
The maze
The butterfly-shaped labyrinth covers an area of 5,000 m² for the enjoyment of adventurers young and old!
Set off on an adventure down these wicker paths and be clever: on your journey, you'll come across 5 doors (including two water doors) and to open them, you'll have to solve some riddles....
Games for all the family
With the bell forest, dominoes, jenga, Mikado and Morpion games dotted around the gardens, children will never see the time pass and older children will rediscover their childlike spirit.
Another area is dedicated to the schoolgirl Claudine, a character created by Colette. A school playground invites you to rediscover children's games: skipping ropes, bungee cords, marble runners or even a perched cat...
Finally, there's a treasure hunt for children. They are invited to lead an investigation with the famous detective Labigle. They have to solve a riddle by finding the garden friends hidden along the way. A reward awaits them on arrival!
Activities
The Jardins de Colette are open from April to All Saints' Day. In addition to the guided tours on offer, the opening period is punctuated by numerous events.
Easter at the Gardens
The festivities begin with Easter: as well as the traditional egg hunt, children can have their faces painted and enjoy special shows.
More about Easter in the Gardens
Rendez-vous in the Gardens
At the beginning of June, the Jardins de Colette take part in the national event: Meet at the gardens
Summer evenings
On certain Wednesdays in July and August, evening events are organised, giving visitors the chance to picnic on site and enjoy the music and gardens.
Halloween at Colette Gardens
Visitors can come dressed up, take part in workshops (face painting, pumpkin carving), watch shows and discover the gardens decorated for the occasion.
In conclusion, the Colette garden can be visited several times a year!
Practical information:
- The gardens can be visited on your own or with a guide. Guided tours lasting 1 hour are available in April, May, June, September and October by prior arrangement (excluding events) and in July and August on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11am and Sundays at 3pm. (Reservations can be made outside these times for a minimum of 4 people, 48 hours in advance, subject to availability).
- Dogs on a lead are welcome.
- The gardens are non-smoking.
- A tearoom is available for hot and cold drinks, ice creams and waffles.
- How do I get to Les Jardins de Colette without a car? Trains and buses serve Varetz from Brive. You will then have to walk 2 km to get to the Gardens. Consult our "travelling without a car" section and download the regularly updated document to find out about the different modes of transport and their timetables.
Find all the information on the Jardins de Colette website .
Bon plan Browse through Colette's gardens
The Jardins de Colette in Varetz invite you to combine literature and botany. It was in the elegant castel of Castel Novel that the writer, renowned for her love of nature, lived with her husband. Are you ready? As well as the superb gardens, a butterfly-shaped labyrinth will make you lose your compass. Once you're free, you can enjoy a family picnic amongst the trees and have fun with the XXL-sized games.
1119 Route de Roland Garros
19240 Varetz
05 55 86 75 35
www.lesjardinsdecolette.com
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