The Roseraie de Provins, an enchanted garden near Paris

There are days like this when you just want to get away for an afternoon or a day to recharge your batteries. And you don't necessarily have to go to the other side of the world to enjoy a beautiful haven of peace. In the Paris region, there are many magical places where time seems to stand still. Such is the case of the Roseraie de Provins.

Provins, a medieval city frozen in time, is well worth a visit for many reasons. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this town in the Seine-et-Marne region attracts visitors eager to discover its unique setting and activities.

Whether it's a stroll along the ramparts, a falconry or chivalry show, a visit to the mysterious underground passageways, a tour of monuments dating back to the Middle Ages or the chance to meet craftsmen with their ancestral skills, there are many reasons to discover this beautiful city with its remarkably well-preserved heritage.

And among all these treasures, the Roseraie de Provins is worth the detour alone. Classified as a Jardin Remarquable, you'll discover no fewer than 450 varieties of rose in a bucolic swirl of sometimes surprising colors, the most iconic of which is still the famous Provins rose. As soon as you enter, via the boutique-tea room, you are warned: "Don't hesitate to walk on the grass to get closer to the flowers".

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This advice is enthusiastically heeded: at the sight of this fresh, visibly soft grass, it's impossible to resist walking barefoot through it and sitting down. But the beautiful roses soon steal the show: springing up from the ground or along beautiful arches, they compete in beauty and perfume us with their fragrance. The 3.5-hectare site is a veritable enchanted garden, and you'll discover it as if you were in Wonderland.

At the turn of a bush, small wooden mushroom sculptures. Among the roses, wrought-iron benches... As we discover the ancient and modern varieties that make up this beautiful rose garden, surprises await us.

One by one, we discover a greenhouse, venture into a veritable labyrinth, cross little bridges over a stream and stretch out in a deckchair listening to the turtle-doves. When we say it's a haven of peace, we mean it!

Here, time just flies by. And when you find yourself, almost reluctantly, at the end of your journey, don't miss the tea room! What better way to end this enchanting escapade than with a delicious rose ice cream? The perfect way to end your visit on a gourmet note!

Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.