Parc de Procé

Parc de Procé is one of the largest and prettiest public parks in Nantes, in the north-west of the city, beyond the old centre and the Parc de Procé quarter, in a small valley on the way to the Erdre. It covers about eleven hectares and is laid out in the English landscape style, which means that it avoids straight lines and formal beds and tries instead to imitate natural scenery, with winding paths, rolling lawns, groves, open views and a stream in a hollow. The park was developed in the nineteenth century as the grounds of a country house belonging to a wealthy family, and it passed to the city in the twentieth century, when it was opened to the public. The manor house still stands within the grounds.

The park is known above all for its trees and plants. Nantes has a long tradition as a city of botanists and gardeners, with ties to the voyages of its shipowners and the exotic plants they brought home, and the city's botanical garden, the Jardin des Plantes, is one of the best in France. Procé shows the same love of plants. The mild, damp climate of the Atlantic coast suits many species from other continents, and mature specimens of cedars, magnolias, tulip trees, beeches, oaks and other trees of great age and size give the park its sense of shade and grandeur. In spring, the camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas flower under the trees, and the magnolias come into bloom, so spring is the best season for colour. Autumn brings a second burst of colour as the leaves change. Some of the trees are labelled and are classed as remarkable.

The layout invites a long walk. Paths lead down the slopes to a pond with waterfowl and across lawns and through woodland, with benches placed at viewpoints, and you can walk around the whole park in an hour. The atmosphere is calm and green, a contrast with the city around it. Families come here for the children's play area known as Babybob, with its own small playground, and for picnics on the lawns, and joggers use the paths in the morning. It is a popular place with local people, and in summer the park is busy at weekends. Entry is free, and the park is open every day, with hours that follow the daylight and are posted at the gates.

Procé is a pleasant place for a break after seeing the more famous sights of Nantes. The Château des Ducs de Bretagne, the castle of the dukes of Brittany, the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, the Passage Pommeraye and the Place Royale lie in the centre, and a tram or bus ride takes you to the park. On the Île de Nantes, the Machines de l'île, including the Grand Éléphant, are a favourite with children, and the Musée d'Arts de Nantes is an excellent museum.

The park suits families, walkers and plant lovers, and it is especially good in spring.