Visiting Thabor Park
Named after a mountain in Israel, Thabor Park is a favorite among residents of Rennes. Spanning over 10 hectares, it blends various styles and plant species to offer a colorful stroll right in the center of the Breton prefecture.
History
Originally, this park was nothing more than a small hill overlooking part of the city. Benedictine monks gave it this biblical name.
Because the city was fortified, the ramparts left very little room for cultivable land or gardens inside the walls. The ground where the current park sits was once an annex of the abbaye Sainte-Melaine (Saint-Melaine Abbey) and stood outside those fortifications.
This land was split between vegetable patches, orchards, and pleasure gardens. In the 17th century, the monks opened it to the public. Following the fire of 1720 that ravaged downtown Rennes, Thabor became the seat of the bishopric, and the palais de l'évêché (bishop's palace) was built there.
After the French Revolution, the grounds were transferred to the municipality, which created a botany school and a botanical garden on the site. In 1801, the church reclaimed the bishop's palace, but the gardens remained city property.
Throughout the 19th century, successive expansions allowed for a complete redesign of the park. Different architects and landscape designers then made modifications all through the 20th century, up until the most recent work wrapped up in 2013.
Thabor Park Today
Thabor Park features several iconic local spots, such as "l'enfer" (hell), where duels took place after the Revolution before it became an open-air theater. Today, this plot is part of a concert venue project.
Visitors naturally notice the exceptional quality of the French formal gardens, the botanical garden, and the stunning rose garden. Even though most of the greenhouses are closed, they form a striking ensemble alongside the orangery.
A magnificent park you will want to include in your itinerary.
Thabor Park is the perfect spot to stroll around in the summer, with family or friends :) The rose garden is a must-see in the summer, as well as the aviary which is perfect for watching birds with your kids. Personally, I also love the many tree species that are interesting to check out! A little hidden gem to look for, the park also has a statue of Glenmor, a legendary figure of Breton folklore preservation! Definitely worth a look :)