Autrey: Gardens and Heritage

Autrey brings together gardens and historic heritage. When planning your trip, it is particularly helpful to consider whether you would like to focus on different garden areas, specialised plant collections or historic architecture. The gardens of Notre-Dame d’Autrey Abbey and Gondremer Botanical Garden offer distinct botanical highlights; the Saint-Hubert Chapel adds a Renaissance building with a history as a former pilgrimage site.

A diversity of gardens at Notre-Dame d’Autrey Abbey

The gardens of Notre-Dame d’Autrey Abbey extend over four hectares and comprise around fifteen different gardens. The site has been awarded the “Jardin remarquable” label. Plants from Asia, North America, New Zealand and the Himalayas grow in the gardens. These regions of origin demonstrate the geographical range of the plant themes; the various garden areas give the site a clearly structured diversity. The gardens can be visited from April to November. If a garden visit is a firm part of your itinerary, check the specific visiting dates before you travel. This seasonal period provides a practical starting point for planning, while your choice of what to focus on depends on your interests in garden areas and plant origins.

Abbey history and the Saint-Hubert Chapel

Notre-Dame d’Autrey Abbey is classified as a historic monument. One striking architectural feature is the Saint-Hubert Chapel, a Renaissance building. It was once an important pilgrimage site. Two perspectives thus come together in one building: Renaissance architectural history and its former religious significance. This focus differs from the botanical collections; visitors who would also like to explore history and religious architecture alongside the gardens will find a clear point of interest in the chapel.

Botanical collections in Gondremer

Gondremer Botanical Garden focuses on plants from various mountain regions around the world. It contains around 3,500 plants in total, including approximately 1,500 rhododendrons and azaleas. Its designated collections include a National Collection of Kalmia, as well as recognised collections of Japanese maples and botanical rhododendrons. A walking route also passes around fifty remarkable trees and shrubs, with information provided about each plant. Gondremer thus combines specialised plant groups with an informative walking route. Comparing the two garden profiles reveals a clear difference: the abbey gardens distribute their diversity across around fifteen gardens and plant origins from several world regions, while Gondremer features named collections and a route showcasing trees and shrubs. If you would like to prioritise particular plant groups or botanical information, this distinction offers a concrete basis for your choice.

Plantes en fête: a special event

Plantes en fête adds an event-focused aspect to the garden offerings. The event is a plant exhibition and sale. Plant collectors offer gardening advice, while artists and craftspeople present garden decorations and gardening tools. The programme is therefore aimed both at visitors looking for gardening tips and at those interested in garden decorations and tools. If you would like to include Plantes en fête in your travel plans, check before you travel whether and when the event is taking place during your visit.

Discover more destinations: Moyemont, Lamarche, Cleurie, Ban-De-Sapt, La Neuveville-devant-Lépanges, Grandrupt, Châtenois, Jeanménil

For the overview of the wider region: Vosges.