Doué-la-Fontaine (49 Maine-et-Loire, Pays de la Loire), south of Angers, self-styles itself as “the Rose Garden of France!” and also claims to be the largest rose production area in the whole of Europe cultivating more than 7 million roses annually.! The town celebrates this with its Journées de la Rose (Rose Days) Festival from 13 – 16 July 2023.
Over 40,000 visitors attend this magnificent display of rose designs and rose sculptures held in the underground caves of the Roman Arena.
Enjoy the variety of aromas, harmony of colours and multitudes of intoxicating perfumes.
There is also the “Rose Lanes“Les Chemins de la Rose – stunning rose garden at the Parc de Courcilpleu to the southwest of the town of Doué-la-Fontaine – showing 13,000 roses open May to September.
For more info on Roses at Doue la Fontaine see www.journeesdelarose.com/
Doué’s other main attraction is the Zoo de Doué (or Bio Park as they call themselves!) – but you are also close to the vineyards of Anjou – why not visit our friends at Domaine Leduc-Frouin
Every year, a rose flower arrangement contest takes place in a troglodyte cave in Doué la Fontaine, near Saumur . Thousands of roses are neatly presented, the colours and scents are amazing. This year’s theme is roses and musicals. www.paysdelaloire.co.uk