Jardin de la Perrine
Tucked behind the cathedral on a terrace that overlooks the Mayenne, the Jardin de la Perrine is the kind of public garden that locals use every day and visitors almost never find — which makes it one of the most tranquil spots in the entire city. Formal rose beds, a small open-air theatre used for summer concerts, and a belvedere terrace with a direct sightline to the château make it quietly unmi
The garden itself
Laid out in the 19th century on the grounds of a former private estate, the Perrine covers about 4.5 hectares of terraced slopes. The upper section is more formal — clipped hedges, geometric rose beds that peak in June — while the lower paths wind through older trees that create deep shade on hot afternoons.
A small aviary near the main entrance has been part of the garden since the 1880s; it sounds like a minor detail until you're standing next to it on a quiet Tuesday morning with birdsong layering over the distant hum of the city below.
Events and the belvedere
The garden's open-air stage hosts free concerts and theatre performances throughout July and August as part of Laval's summer cultural programme — check the city's official agenda for exact dates. Even without an event on, the tiered stone seating makes a good perch for a picnic lunch.
The belvedere at the garden's northern edge gives a view of the château's eastern face and the river bend that is completely different from the Vieux-Pont angle — longer, more pastoral, with willows trailing into the water. It is one of the least-photographed good views in the city.
More of Laval
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Laval →
