Label "Remarkable garden"
The label «Remarkable Garden» distinguishes, since 2004, gardens that present a cultural, historical, botanical or aesthetic interest by their composition, their integration in the site and the quality of the surroundings, remarkable elements such as the presence of water, factories..., and the quality of maintenance put in place as part of a management plan.
What is the “Remarkable Garden” label?
This quality label from the Ministry of Culture is awarded for a renewable period of 5 years. It gives rise to various advantages, including road and motorway signs.
The 47 certified gardens in the Grand Est region
The Grand Est region has 47 gardens labeled «remarkable gardens», spread over 9 departments: list of gardens labeled in the Grand Est by department
Map of Remarkable Gardens in the Great East
How to get the label?
An application must be submitted by the owner or manager of the park or garden in question to the Direction régionale des affaires culturelles du Grand Est (see contact information at the bottom of this page).
The file must contain the following parts :
- the situation plan and the garden plan;
- the list of outstanding elements;
- the list of remarkable plants;
- a history;
- a description;
- all information relating to the way in which the garden is managed (human resources, organization, consideration of environmental quality);
- the list of documentation made available to the public, as well as any animations for young people; a photographic file containing at least 5 images;
- a written commitment to open the garden to visitors for at least 50 days between 1 January and 31 December, including 30 days including at least 5 Sundays between 1 April and 30 September, specifying the actual opening periods to be displayed at the garden entrance. It should be noted that parks and gardens open to the visit by appointment according to the above conditions can benefit from the label;
- the opening periods must be clearly announced on the information documents distributed, as at the garden entrance;
- a written commitment to participate in national operations organised by the Ministry responsible for culture in the field of gardens and heritage.
How to apply (at any time, no application deadline)
- by post
The file to be downloaded below can be used, together with the supporting documents and sent to the address indicated at the bottom of this page: Application form for "Remarkable garden" certification
- by internet
The file must be completed on the site My steps
How is it allocated?
A working group, created by decision of the Prefect of Region, is responsible for reviewing the application files for label.
The regional working group includes the following members:
- the Regional Director for Cultural Affairs, President, or his representative;
- the garden correspondent or the person in charge of garden files at the DRAC;
- the representative of the Ministry responsible for the environment;
- the representative of the Ministry responsible for tourism;
- a representative of the Regional Council.
It also includes members appointed for a renewable five-year term:
- a representative of a CAUE in the region;
- an architect of the buildings of France assigned in the region;
- a representative of the French association of managers of gardens and public green spaces;
- two representatives of park and garden associations in the region;
- two qualified persons in the field of gardens.
This working group gives an opinion on the case, whether favourable or unfavourable, after visiting the site and awarding a rating calculated from the criteria specified below. The Prefect of the Region may or may not follow the opinion issued by the working group in order to take his decision.
The «Remarkable garden» label is granted for a period of five years, with possible revision in case of change of owner or notorious deficiency in the conditions of maintenance or opening.
- composition (organisation of spaces, aesthetics of space setting);
- site integration (landscaping);
- outstanding elements (water, factories, plant architectures...);
- botanical interest;
- historical interest;
- communication, pedagogy, documentation;
- maintenance, management plan and respect for the environment.
In the case of a garden of recent design (less than 30 years old), the criterion of historical interest is not taken into account.
What are the advantages and obligations of the label?
The advantages of the label:
- a mention in the documents distributed by the Ministry of Culture;
- the possibility of obtaining specific road signs bearing the ideogram ID16e, defined by the decree of 11 February 2008 amending the decree of 24 November 1967 on road and motorway signs;
- the support of the National Council of Parks and Gardens, the Committee of Parks and Gardens of France and the regional association to request European, national or regional aid or patronage directed towards parks and gardens.
The obligations of the owner or manager of the garden holding the label?
The owner of the garden is responsible for:
- to respect the obligations of openness to the public;
- and affix, in a place visible to the public, the enamelled plaque showing the logo of the «Remarkable Garden» label.
Reference for the label "Remarkable gardens" at the DRAC Grand Est
Alice Fey
Corresponding gardens
Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs Grand Est
6 places in the room
57045 Metz cedex 01