Parc Floral de la Source, Saran
attraction
About Parc Floral de la Source
The Parc Floral de la Source is a French garden situated to the south of the River Loire, in the La Source neighbourhood of the town of Orléans, in the département of Loiret. With more than 150,000 visitors in 2007, it is the most visited site in Loiret.The source of the Loiret river is at the centre of the park.
The park has been awarded the status of Jardin remarquable by the French Ministry of Culture and the national council of parks and gardens.
History
In 510, the land was ceded to the monks of the Abbey Saint-Mesmin de Micy by Clovis. From 1427, it belonged successively to various lords and noble families. The first great gardening work, in the formal style of French gardens, dates from the beginning of the 18th century. During the 1720s, an ice-house, a library gallery, bas-reliefs and a terrace were incorporated into the garden. In 1959, the city of Orléans and the département acquired the 410 hectares of the estate; 35 hectares were reserved to create the park, the rest being used to create the quarter of La Source as a site for the University of Orléans. The garden opened in 1964 as a recreational park as well as a showcase for the horticultural department.