Simiane-la-Rotonde
Jardin de l'abbaye de Valsaintes
The tourist service at Simiane-la-Rotonde :
A timeless stroll…in a garden like no other!Visit the church and the "remarkable" garden composed of more than 350 varieties of roses, a dry garden and a permaculture vegetable garden. Guided tours of the garden / history and Gregorian chant.
Perched at 600m altitude, in the heart of the ancient "Valley of Absinthe," lies a sacred site with history stretching from prehistory to modern times. The Valsaintes Cistercian Abbey, home to monks from the 12th century until the French Revolution, now overlooks a unique garden certified as a "Jardin Remarquable" by the French Ministry of Culture.
What to Discover:
The Remarkable Garden: Wander among terraces showcasing 350 varieties of roses intertwined with wild and cultivated plants. Follow "The Path of Roses," a chronological journey through the history of roses.
Dry Garden: Admire over 250 drought and cold-resistant plants.
Permaculture Vegetable Garden: Learn sustainable gardening techniques.
Abbey Church: Visit the beautifully restored 17th-century abbey nestled within the garden.
Activities and Events Throughout the Year:
Guided tours of the garden and abbey
Themed workshops: dry gardening, permaculture, and more
Summer programs filled with activities
Gardening workshops
Children's activities every Wednesday during school holidays
Gregorian chant performances in the abbey church
Daily guided tours at 2:30 PM
New: Extend your visit with a delicious meal at our on-site restaurant.
For Groups: Guided tours available year-round by request.
Visit our website for full details and schedules.
Equipments
- Picnic area
- Car park
- Restaurant
- Entertainments room
- Film room
- Meeting room
- Parking nearby
- Coach parking
Services
- Pets welcome
- Educational visits
- Coach access
- Motorhomes allowed
- Room hire
- Themed tour
- Shop
- Tourist brochures
- Restaurant
- Guided tours
- Online shop
Dates and times
From 07/02 to 31/03/2026 on Wednesday and weekends between 2 pm and 5 pm.
Guided tour on Wednesday and weekends between 2.30 pm and 5 pm.
From 01/04 to 30/04/2026 on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and weekends between 2 pm and 6 pm.
Guided tour on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and weekends between 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm.
Open exceptionally on 06/04.
From 01/05 to 22/05/2026 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and weekends between 10 am and 7 pm.
Guided tour on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and weekends between 2.30 pm and 5.30 pm.
From 23/05 to 07/06/2026 daily between 10 am and 7 pm.
From 08/06 to 30/06/2026 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and weekends between 10 am and 7 pm.
Guided tour on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and weekends between 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm.
From 01/07 to 31/08/2026 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and weekends between 10 am and 8 pm.
From 01/09 to 30/09/2026 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and weekends between 2 pm and 7 pm.
Guided tour on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and weekends between 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm.
From 01/10 to 01/11/2026 on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and weekends between 2 pm and 5 pm.
Guided tour on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and weekends between 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm.
Means of payment
- Check
- Bank/credit card
- Cash
- Travellers Cheque
- Online payment
- Contactless payment
- Credit transfer
Prices
From 01/10 to 02/11/2025
Full price: 8 €
Reduced price: 4 €
Child : 4 €
Group adults: from 5 €.
From 07/02 to 22/05/2026
Full price: 8 €
Reduced price: 4 €
Child : 4 €
Group adults: from 5 €.
From 23/05 to 07/06/2026
Full price: 10 €
Reduced price: from 5 €
Group adults: from 5 €.
From 08/06 to 01/11/2026
Full price: 8 €
Reduced price: from 4 €
Child : 4 €
Group adults: 5 €.
Free entry for children under 12.
Child entry valid for 12 - 18 years.
Group rate available for 15 people or more.
Spoken languages
- English
- French
Contact
Jardin de l'abbaye de ValsaintesAbbaye de Valsaintes
Boulinette
04150 Simiane-la-Rotonde
E-Mail : info@valsaintes.org
Website : https://www.valsaintes.org
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/jardinabbayevalsaintes/
coordinates
Longitude : 5.591665Latitude : 43.957575