An animation that has become a tradition. The garden festival enlivens the royal and military college of Thiron-Gardais on Saturday May 4 and Sunday May 5. Stéphane Bern, its owner, will be present.
For both visitors and speakers, it is an event that “attracts a lot of people”. The garden festival takes place this weekend at the royal and military college. Last year, it attracted 2,600 people.
32 exhibitors
For its 5th edition, the garden festival welcomes thirty-two exhibitors, “two more than last year, with regulars who are very loyal, but also new stands”, indicates Marie Hénocq-Castanier, director of the royal college and military.
Garden festival at the Royal and Military College of Thiron-Gardais.
In the aisles, visitors will be able to find decoration for their exterior, gardening equipment, local products and plants and seeds. “We gave out a satisfaction questionnaire last year and many asked us for more plants. »
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The person responsible for the flowering of the Grand Trianon in a conference
The visitor will be able to attend four conferences. Elena Secondo, responsible for the flowering of the Grand Trianon garden at the Palace of Versailles, will discuss her flowering work on Saturday, at 2 p.m. “This is the first time that a woman has been the patron of the event. » In the morning, she will inaugurate the garden festival alongside Stéphane Bern, owner of the place.
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Other speakers will follow suit, such as Louis-Albert de Broglie, nicknamed the gardener prince, on his commitments to biodiversity.
“The idea of the festival is to combine gardens and heritage, the public is very sensitive to this. Everything takes place in the college gardens.”
Marie Hénocq-Castanier
(Director of the royal and military college)
Several workshops and a concert
Watercolor, rose bush pruning and cottage garden workshops will take place over the two days. “Some exhibitors will offer demonstrations. »
The Queen's Flying Squadron, a baroque music ensemble, will perform in concert. “We wanted to bring musical entertainment to the party, for there to be events all the time, and to satisfy garden enthusiasts, but also families. »
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The director reassures: “Stéphane Bern plans to be present both days. Last year, it was partly taken up by the coronation of King Charles III. » Enough to excite fans of the presenter of History Secrets who will therefore have the opportunity to see him this weekend.
Practical. Garden Festival Saturday May 4, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday May 5, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Prices: adults €5, reduced €3, free for under 7s. Museum closed. Catering on site, snacks in the orangery tea room. Possibility of reserving your place on the website of the royal and military college in order to benefit from skipping the line.
Activities throughout the season
The garden festival launches the royal and military college season, a season punctuated with events. Thus, Saturday June 1 and Sunday June 2 will take place in the gardens with access to the gardens accessible free of charge and the museum closed.
Thematic guided tours around the gardens and the restoration of the place will again be offered from Saturday July 6 and until Sunday September 1.
At the royal and military college of Thiron-Gardais, follow the guide!
A period during which the museum team offers Sunday lunchtimes to book a picnic made up of local products and enjoy it in the gardens. “It’s the third year we’ve been doing this, we’re enjoying it so we’re continuing,” remarks Marie Hénocq-Castanier.
No Storytelling Nights this year
On the other hand, Storytelling Nights will not return this summer. “We wanted to renew ourselves and this event was very time-consuming,” explains the director of the royal and military college. We will offer three tastings, food and cider pairings, which will take place earlier in the evening than the Storytelling Nights. »
Garden festivals at the Royal and Military College of Thiron-Gardais.
The team also wants to increase its actions with schools. “With a teacher from the Thiron school, we realized that the children did not know about college. A class will come four times a year. »
Seasonal since 2019, Maxane Tuffier adds: “We are going to organize a learning vacation at the end of August with a class from La Loupe. » The college also works with BTS animation students from the Franz-Stock high school area. Some students help with the garden festival and the seasons.
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13,000 visitors in 2024
The college season will end with the European Heritage Days which attract an average of 2,000 people.
Last year, the royal and military college attracted 13,000 visitors, compared to 12,000 in 2022, with an increasing number of requests for group visits.
Practical. Royal and Military College of Thiron-Gardais, 6, rue de l'Abbaye. Prices: €8, reduced €5, €2 for 7-11 year olds, free under 7 year olds. Summer pass: €8. Until June 2, open Friday to Sunday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Exceptional opening on May 8, 9 and 20. Contact: 02.37.49.79.54.
Bérénice Poulin