The Gardens of Flaran Abbey Monastic gardens and paths along the Baïse

Flaran Abbey “nature side”

(Listed Historic Monument)

At Flaran Abbey, alongside the listed buildings and exhibitions, you can also (re)discover 3 hectares of parkland and gardens, in a preserved natural environment on the banks of the Baïse. Within the site, the monastic garden was redesigned in the 18th century as a pleasure garden known as "à la française." For several years, part of it, next to the dovecote, has housed a medieval-inspired garden. Evoking the former monks' garden, it is composed of several sections. The largest is the simples garden or herbularius, which houses, in chestnut wattle, medicinal plants once used by the monks. Opposite it, in the vegetable garden or hortus, small fruit trees, market garden plants, and vines on stakes are grown on flowerbeds. Near the vegetable garden, a meadow area mown once a year helps preserve the site's biodiversity. The last part is devoted to the orchard or viridarium.

The medieval-inspired garden allows for the development of varied thematic activities around pharmacopoeia or medieval cuisine, for example by participating each year in the national Rendez-vous aux jardins event, but also by developing educational projects thanks to the school garden. Far from being static, the Flaran Abbey garden is also a place for new things to discover.

Outside the site, a wooded park is accessible year-round and provides access to the Baïse River Trail. Developed by the Gers Departmental Council, this pedestrian path connects the port of Valence-sur-Baïse on one side and the Gauge leisure center in Condom on the other, passing through the double lock at Graziac.