Description of the attraction
For its many greenery, flowers and trees, Angers is sometimes called the "flourishing city". In addition to the Garden of Plants and the Arboretum of Gaston Ayard, Angers also has the Jardin du May, the main city park, as well as the oldest public garden in Angers, made in a regular style (this style in landscape design is also called French or geometric).
The principle of geometry and symmetry is fully respected in the layout of the Jardin du May. In the center of the park there is a fountain, from which straight alleys radiate out like rays, flower beds in the park are formed strictly symmetrically.
The foundation of the park dates back to the 17th century; initially, its area was intended for the game "jue-de-may", from which the park got its name. This type of ball game was very popular among the townspeople, and in France it even won fans of the royal level, like Henry II and Louis XIII. However, in the middle of the 17th century, the love of "jue de may" among the inhabitants of Angers quickly faded away, and the garden remained - it was decided to turn it into a place for pleasant walks and open it to everyone.
Today, the appearance of the park can be characterized as neoclassical - in this style, in particular, the central fountain is made. In winter, when the water in the fountain freezes, visitors to the park skate in the bowl of the fountain. The orchestral pavilion Le Kiosk, built in the 19th century, is a striking, attractive detail of the park. Even today, it sometimes hosts concerts of symphonic music. In the park you can see sculptures and statues, labyrinths of bushes, palms in tubs, a petanque playground and numerous clubs where about 40 thousand flowers are planted every summer. The continuation of the park is the pedestrian alley of Joan of Arc, planted with old plane trees.
The Jardin du May park is located in the central part of Angers and is located in front of the city hall.
