Discover the luxuriant and diverse world of gardens in Brittany; each is a living work of art ranging from romantic English gardens, formal French elegance to the exotic. Known for their hospitality and public access policy, the many parks and gardens in Brittany offer a horticultural experience bursting with colour and fragrance.

In 2009, from June 5-7, visitors across Brittany can experience the Rendez-vous in Gardens, a Cultural Department initiative launched 2003 featuring 113 gardens across the region including specialist botanical shows, art exhibitions and a chance to meet the people behind the parks and gardens in the region, some of which are private gardens opened exclusively for the event.

Among the top five gardens in the region are:

FINISTERE

Georges Delaselle Garden* � Ile de Batz Created in 1897 by passionate plant lover Georges Delaselle, this garden offers a unique and unexpected experience on the Batz island as its plethora of plant life from all over the world contrasts with the windswept Atlantic surroundings. The palm grove displays a rare collection of palm trees which can be grown outdoors due to the island�s particular climatic conditions.

Roscoff Exotic Garden* - Roscoff : Thanks to the Gulf Stream, this garden has 3,000 tropical species of exotic plants from all over the world which bloom longer in than they would inland. The garden features waterfalls, ornamental lakes with tortoises, rock gardens with cacti, agaves and aloe and an 18 meter high rock offers an outstanding panoramic view over the bay of Morlaix.

MORBIHAN The Yves Rocher Botanical Garden � La Gacilly The Yves Rocher Botanical Garden is not only a beautiful spectacle but also a garden designed using plants that can benefit us all. Over the years, it has expanded to contain over 1,100 plant species. Within the garden sits the Vegetarium, an educational Museum of Plantlife and a result of a partnership between Yves Rocher and the French Natural History Museum. Visitors to the museum are encouraged to take a hands-on approach and see, smell, touch and listen to nature in order to heighten awareness of the fragile balance between humans and nature.

HAUTE-BRETAGNE ILLE-ET-VILAINE

Broceliande Gardens*- Le Pommeret

This 24 hectares of landscaped and flower�filled garden is famous for its Iris collections. An educational centre helping the handicapped work and learn about nature, the gardens are a also a rewarding and educational visit. The site has won numerous awards in recent years and in 2008, a dahlia maze was added.

Montmarin Garden* � Pleurtuit

Montmarin, was constructed in 1760, and the ch�teau, parks and gardens are listed as historic National Monuments. The 15-acre park drops down to the River Rance in a series of gentle terraces. In front of the house, the French formal garden is almost unchanged since the day it was designed and overlooks the delighfully contrasting park, laid out in 1885 in the English style - with historic trees, wide lawns, thickets, rock-gardens and mixed borders.

2009 events in Montmarin garden

* May 2 & 3 from 10h to 18h: 23rd edition of the Journ�es des plantes or Plant Day�s where 40 nursery gardeners and other exhibitors present their specialities and floral collections. From July 29 to August 16 August: Everyday from 14h to 19h , are the "Journ�es des Agapanthes." These feature an artistic exhibition with painters, sculptors in the summer garden, particulary during the Agapanthes flowering time.

For more information on Brittany please visit www.brittanytourism.com

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Notes to Editors: *� Extraordinary Garden � Quality Label This label, granted by the Ministry of Culture and Communication and recognizes a select number of public parks and gardens for their outstanding botanical, historical or landscape features : composition, design (glass houses, sculptures, fountains�), plant varieties, harmony with their surroundings and maintenance. Seventeen parks and gardens in Brittany have been awarded the � Jardin remarquable �, quality label.

Georges Delaselle garden � Ile de Batz (Ferry crossings from Roscoff) Opening season: April, May, June, September and October (except Tuesday), from 2pm to 6 pm. Daily in July and August from 1pm to 6.30. Prices 08: Adults �4.50 children �2, Groups or seniors �3.50 Tel. 00 33 (0) 2 98 61 75 65 � Fax: 00 33 (0) 2 98 61 74 97 Email address: webmaster@jardin-georgesdelaselle.fr

Roscoff Exotic Garden - Roscoff Opening season: go on www.jardinexotiqueroscoff.com Prices 08: Adults �5 guided tour � 6, free for under 12�s , �4 Groups, seniors, students. T�l. 00 33 (0) 2 98 61 29 19 or mobile 00 33 (0) 6 65 78 99 43 Email address: grapes@wanadoo.fr Yves Rocher Botanical Garden� La Gacilly Opening season: Unguided visits all year around. Guided tours from 10 am to 7 pm daily from 15 June to 14 September Prices 08: Adults �5, 50 guided tour (garden + vegetarium) � 6, 50, in family free for under 10�s, Groups visits by appointment. T�l. 00 33 (0) 2 99 08 35 84 / Fax. 00 33 (0) 2 99 08 28 93 www.yves-rocher.com - Botanical section: michel.cambornac@yrnet.com

Broceliande Garden

Opening season: go on www.jardinsdebroceliande.fr Prices 08: Adults �6,50, Children (from 6 years) �3, family �15. Guided tours, on foot or by small train, by appointment, school parties, group events� T�l. 00 33 (0) 2 99 60 08 04 / Fax. 00 33 (0) 2 99 60 07 94 Email address: contact@jardinsdebroceliande.fr

Montmarin Garden � Pleurtuit

Opening season: everyday from April 1st to October 31st. Closed on saturdays go on www.domaine-du-montmarin.com Prices 08: Adults �5 ,80 , 14-18�s students � 5, children from 7 to 14�s �3,60, Groups by appointment only � 5. T�l. 00 33 (0) 2 99 88 58 79 / Fax. 00 33 (0) 2 99 88 69 38 Email address: domaine-du-montmarin@wanadoo.fr

GETTING THERE:

By Air: Flybe fly from Edinburgh, Southampton, Manchester, Belfast, Exeter, and Newcastle to Rennes. Flybe fly from Southampton, Exeter, Birmingham, and Manchester to Brest. Ryanair fly from Luton to Brest. Ryanair fly from Bristol, Stanstead, East Midlands, and Birmingham to Dinard

Aurigny fly from Gatwick, Manchester, Bristol, Stanstead, Guernsey, Jersey and Alderney to Dinard (all flights stop in the Channel Islands)

By Sea: Condor Ferries from Poole and Weymouth to St Malo Brittany Ferries have regular crossings from Portsmouth to St Malo Brittany Ferries have regular crossings from Plymouth to Roscoff

From Ireland: Brittany Ferries go from Cork to St Malo Irish Ferries from Cork to Roscoff Aer Lingus flies between Dublin and Brest

For all media enquiries, please contact Greg Dawson / Alison Cryer Representation Plus Tel: +44 (0) 20 8877 4504 greg@representationplus.co.uk