Botanic Garden

Botanic Garden

The gardens of the Donjon de Ballon have earned the label "Jardin remarquable" and showcase a vast number of species (including aromatic and condimentary plants) which are typically found in medieval "Jardin Clos"...
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Donjon

Donjon

The Château de Ballon, a fortified keep located near the town of Le Mans in the Sarthe département, in the Pays de la Loire region at the border with Normandy, is listed as a "Monument historique" ...
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Rose Garden

Rose Garden

The rose-garden of the Jardins de Ballon showcases a collection of old rose species, composed of around a hundred varieties of roses, a collection of peonies, a wall of roses and an ensemble of remarkable trees and shrubs ...
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Panoramic View

Panoramic View

The Donjon de Ballon and its gardens are built on a rocky outcrop dominating the plain below. From the top of the old feudal motte, one discovers an exceptional panoramic view on the Pays du Saôsnois and Parc Maine-Normandie ...
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Chateau de Ballon in France, close to the Loire Valley and Normandy

Welcome to Chateau de Ballon, close to the Loire Valley in France, close to Le Mans in Sarthe, Pays de la Loire, and at the gates of Normandy. You will be able to visit this medieval fortress, which is classed as a "Historic Monument", and its gardens with roses, peonies and other botanical specimens which has been awarded “Jardin Remarquable - Remarkable Gardens ”. From the top of the medieval motte which was built on a rocky outcrop, you may enjoy an exceptional panoramic view over “Le Parc Maine – Normandy” and the “Saosnois” area.

Château in Pays de la Loire

The Château de Ballon near Le Mans in the Sarthe departement, part of the Pays de la Loire region and on the border with Normandy is listed as a "Monument Historique" ...
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Gardens in Pays de la Loire

The Gardens of the Donjon de Ballon, near le Mans in the Sarthe departement, part of the Pays de la Loire region and on the border with Normandy are listed as "Jardin Remarquable" ... More info ...

At the gates of Normandy

From the Donjon de Ballon and its gardens it is possible to discover an exceptional panoramic view on the Parc Maine-Normandie and the Pays Saôsnois...
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Events in 2018

Donjon de Ballon - Prize giving ceremony
Sunday 6th May 2018 - Donjon de Ballon

Winner of the most beautiful Monument in Sarthe - by le Maine Libre - Conseil Départemental - France Bleu Maine - Prize giving ceremony Sunday 6th May 2018 - Donjon de Ballon

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Rendez-vous aux Jardins 2018
2 et 3 Juin 2018

Jardins et Donjon de Ballon ouverts
les 2 et 3 Juin de 14h à 18h30

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Recent events ...

Messe et fête paroissiale au Donjon,
Dimanche 28 Juin 2015, 11h

OUVERT À TOUS

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Musique ancienne et patrimoine,
Dimanche 12 Avril 2015, 15h30

Dimanche 12 Avril 2015 : concert rencontre et goûter au Château de Ballon (20 places)

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Visits: Garden and Chateau

Visiting times

Open all year round by previous arrangement for groups of 10 or more Unguided visit of the garden from 1st July to mid-August (closed on Thursdays) and also every weekend in May and June. More infos »

Coming to "Donjon de Ballon"

- By train, TGV "Paris-Le Mans"
- By car, taking the Motorway A28 More infos »

Visit us on Facebook

www.facebook.com/chateaudeballon

They talk about it

Château et Jardin en France, Pays de la Loire

Monument Historique et Jardin Remarquable, Le Mans, Sarthe en Pays de la Loire

An ancient fortress at the gates of the Maine region, the Donjon de Ballon has been mounting its defences from the top of its rocky outcrop against Normandy for more than a 1000 years.

The Château de Ballon is listed as a Monument Historique since 1923 and its site is also listed.

The Donjon de Ballon is surrounded by medieval or renaissance inspired gardens which showcase collections of fruit trees, ancient varieties of rose, clematises, peonies and viburna. The Donjon’s gardens are listed as a Jardin Remarquable.

The Château and Gardens of Ballon are located 23km north of Le Mans, which is an hour away from Paris by high speed train, and are close to the A28 motorway direction Alençon, in the Sarthe département part of the Pays de la Loire region at the border with Normandy.

The Château and its gardens are open to visits throughout the year for groups on demand and the gardens are open every weekend from May to September for individual visitors.

Every year themed open-days are organised at the Château:
- European Heritage Open Days
- Rendez-vous in the gardens
- Gardens in support of Neurodon

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