Roseraie de Provins, Medieval rose garden in Provins, France

The Roseraie de Provins is a three-hectare rose garden at the foot of the upper town, between the upper and lower towns of Provins. It holds about 300 rose varieties, presented by theme: old roses, Gallic and Damask roses, hybrid tea roses, then modern roses. A garden of medicinal plants, an exhibition room and a bookshop complete the site.

Rose cultivation in Provins dates back to the Crusades, when eastern plant varieties were brought to the city. This long history has made the city a known center for rose growing in Europe.

The garden's name, Roseraie de Provins, refers to the town's rose, Rosa gallica Officinalis, which legend says Thibaud IV of Champagne brought back from the crusade in 1240 and had cultivated. For centuries, until the early 19th century, this rose was the source of Provins's wealth. Today the garden presents the history of roses by theme, from ancient gallic and damask roses to modern varieties.

The garden is accessible on most days of the year, and visitors should wear comfortable shoes to explore the different areas. There are paths throughout the grounds, and shade is available in some spots, especially in the older, established parts of the garden.

The rose garden was laid out in the mid-20th century by Jean Vizier, then abandoned in the mid-1990s before being rebuilt between 2007 and 2008 on three hectares. Its beds trace rose history by theme, from Gallic and Damask roses to hybrid tea and modern varieties, with more than 300 kinds grown.