Loire Alantique’s latest attraction is Terra Botanica and being only 90 mins away, of course we had to test drive it for our guests, at least that’s our story and we’re sticking to it.
It is unlike anything I have ever seen before, sort of Science museum meets Kew Gardens with attitude. Situated to the north of Angers and only opened last April, it is a spectacular garden divided into 4 sections: Sought after, Generous, Domesticated and Mysterious. Each section is brilliantly laid out with so much of interest that you begin to doubt that 1 day is enough to see it all. The sought after plants include coffee, cacao, spices, and many others we now take for granted as every day fare, we forget that once men risked their lives travelling the globe in search of them and that’s what the theme of this part of the park is. With a staged film/reality show where you feel like one of the crew on board a frigate in the midst of a storm, you certainly get a feel of what is was like for those pioneers. Lakes, ships, warehouses and lots more help set the scene and take you back to those days.
The Generous garden is full of plants and information about those flowers and plants that give us medecines, perfumes, shelter, food and even cleaning products, a real eye opener.
The Domesticated gardens allow you to discover how, over the centuries, horticulturists and landscape gardeners have tamed and harnessed this tremendous potential. With a huge indoor area to demonstrate plant adaptation from desert conditions to the Arctic, it really is fascinating and so very well presented.
Lastly my favourite part – the Mysterious gardens, dedicated to the secrets of the plant world, stepping back into the planet’s geological and climatic history, taking visitors from treetops to the heart of photosynthesis and DNA, and exploring biodiversity and its role all along the food chain. With lots of interactive games and activities for children of all ages including discovering fossils, how wind works, a great 3D show about the travels of a rain drop to the heart of a plant, a tree top (leg powered) ride in half a walnut shell and an amazing walk through Jurasic park complete with geysers, mist clouds, sound effects and a very sweet dinosaur. We loved every minute and wished we’d bought the yearly ticket as I’m sure we’ll go again at different times of year.
The park is open from April to October with September & October openings at weekends only, it has 2 restaurant areas, a huge shop and loads of interest for all ages. More information can be found on their website: http://www.uk.terrabotanica.fr – A truly great day out for all the family.
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Loire Atlantique’s latest attraction
Loire Alantique’s latest attraction is Terra Botanica and being only 90 mins away, of course we had to test drive it for our guests, at least that’s our story and we’re sticking to it.
It is unlike anything I have ever seen before, sort of Science museum meets Kew Gardens with attitude. Situated to the north of Angers and only opened last April, it is a spectacular garden divided into 4 sections: Sought after, Generous, Domesticated and Mysterious. Each section is brilliantly laid out with so much of interest that you begin to doubt that 1 day is enough to see it all. The sought after plants include coffee, cacao, spices, and many others we now take for granted as every day fare, we forget that once men risked their lives travelling the globe in search of them and that’s what the theme of this part of the park is. With a staged film/reality show where you feel like one of the crew on board a frigate in the midst of a storm, you certainly get a feel of what is was like for those pioneers. Lakes, ships, warehouses and lots more help set the scene and take you back to those days.
The Generous garden is full of plants and information about those flowers and plants that give us medecines, perfumes, shelter, food and even cleaning products, a real eye opener.
The Domesticated gardens allow you to discover how, over the centuries, horticulturists and landscape gardeners have tamed and harnessed this tremendous potential. With a huge indoor area to demonstrate plant adaptation from desert conditions to the Arctic, it really is fascinating and so very well presented.
Lastly my favourite part – the Mysterious gardens, dedicated to the secrets of the plant world, stepping back into the planet’s geological and climatic history, taking visitors from treetops to the heart of photosynthesis and DNA, and exploring biodiversity and its role all along the food chain. With lots of interactive games and activities for children of all ages including discovering fossils, how wind works, a great 3D show about the travels of a rain drop to the heart of a plant, a tree top (leg powered) ride in half a walnut shell and an amazing walk through Jurasic park complete with geysers, mist clouds, sound effects and a very sweet dinosaur. We loved every minute and wished we’d bought the yearly ticket as I’m sure we’ll go again at different times of year.
The park is open from April to October with September & October openings at weekends only, it has 2 restaurant areas, a huge shop and loads of interest for all ages. More information can be found on their website: http://www.uk.terrabotanica.fr – A truly great day out for all the family.