Parc des Gayeulles, Urban park in Maurepas-Patton district, Rennes, France
Parc des Gayeulles, also called parc des Bois, covers about 100 hectares in north-eastern Rennes, making it the city's largest park. It is mainly wooded, with five water bodies, lawns and a reed-lined bank, plus sports and leisure facilities including the Le Blizz ice rink and a swimming complex.
Development of the site began in 1967 under Mayor Henri Fréville, and it opened to the public in 1978 after allowing newly planted trees time to mature. The transformation from project to finished park took roughly a decade.
The farm at the park's south-east edge, Basse-Gayeulle, dates from the late 15th century and retains a dovecote, stables for horses and cows, a well and a bread oven. It now runs as a children's farm showing donkeys, cows and horses, with a crêperie and animal garden beside it.
The park lies northeast of central Rennes, with the campsite, ice rink Le Blizz and swimming pool grouped together and the five ponds reached through the wooded section. The campsite has 178 summer pitches and only a grocery shop on site, so supplies come from elsewhere. Paths suit walking and running rather than driving between facilities.
The park houses a campsite with pitches that has welcomed international visitors and year-round residents since 1979. This camping area operates as an integrated part of the park experience.
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