Parc de La Gaudinière

If I lived in Nantes, I would be in the this park daily with the dynamic duo! Titus & Fleur that is. As soon as you cross the threshold, you are transported into a land of protected beauty and tranquility. Who doesn’t enjoy swans, ducks and geese frolicking in a pond? If you have children bring them along with some bread, they will be amused for hours. There are numerous paths to meander along, some are along step waterways, others under tall shady trees.
It is winter now, so the show stopping Rhododendrons were not in bloom, but I can only imagine the fabulous display of flowers they offer when in bloom during spring/​summer. Especially considering that in the late 1980’s the park planted some 40,000 flowers to including daffodils, garlic, tulips. Now there are close to 200,000 flowering species in the parkland including fragrant narcissus, wood anemone, trout lily, scilla, grape hyacinth, iris, and cyclamen. La Gaudinière is a flower lovers paradise in springtime. Providing backup to the flowers, though not to be outdone are various ferns, giant sequoia, redwood, bald cypress, chestnut, English oak, copper beech, Corsican pine, and maple trees. There are a few descriptive markers along some of the paths to help you identify the many species in the park.
The irony of me writing about this beautiful château and the land which it sits on, illustrates that the past does not always dictate the future. The Chaurand family were merchants in the slave trade during the 1700’s. Would they have ever fathomed that I would be walking on their property and basking in its beauty. For free. Through their wealth the family acquired the domain and created the surrounding park. Over the years the domain and château were sold to other families, until the City of Nantes purchased the property in 1992. The château remains impressive and imposing at the top of the hill. Just a few feet away is an enclosed area to play pétanque. Right next it is a full on playground for the kids. There were several dogs enjoying the open space in front of the château, so be sure to bring your ball launcher for fido!
It’s a massive park with plenty of opportunity to nap, play fetch, swing, throw balls, feed birds, have a picnic and so much more. Check it out!

À cheval sur les quartiers Pont du Cens et Longchamps /​Beauséjour, ce parc regorge de surprises: animaux, forêt, ruisseau, jeux d’enfants… Et l’été cours gratuits de Gym Suédoise devant le château !

Romantique
Le parc de la Gaudinière, quel magnifique parc. Idéal pour de petites balades en été. Ce parc à des allures de zoo, vous pouvez y croiser des oies, canards et bien d’autres espèces de ce type. C’est un des meilleurs parcs de l’aglomération Nantaise.