Looking for nature and tranquility just steps from the Sens city center? Or perhaps activities for your children, who love to run around and observe animals? Or maybe you’re craving a tropical escape? The Parc du Moulin à Tan has all this and more! The park covers 16 hectares with wide pathways, playgrounds, woodlands and tropical greenhouses—all just minutes from downtown. It’s easy to see why this park is one of the most visited in Burgundy! Above all it’s a place for walks and encounters with other nature enthusiasts, open all year round.
A unique garden in Burgundy
We hear this question (almost) every day at the Tourist Office: “I’ve heard about a big park in Sens… The Moulin à … (ummmm) Tanne? Can you tell me about it?” Yes, of course we can! The Parc du Moulin à Tan (pronounced “Ton”) is one of the must-sees of Sens!
The name comes from the ancient mill (moulin in French) which was built in 1887 to extract tannin from tree bark, to then send to the nearby tanneries. It has since been reconverted into a huge landscaped park, kept in perfect condition by the gardeners of the local council. This highlight of the city of Sens is one of the few public gardens in France to bear the “Jardin Remarquable” label!
With your children
They will love the mini farm, play areas and Permanent Orientation Course, a fun activity which involves finding markers around the park. It requires a sense of observation, direction and an appetite for a challenge!
Your daily jog
You will appreciate the beautiful alleyways and trails and might even find yourself racing against a squirrel!
Beautiful walks in every season
Whether you’re just going for a leisurely stroll or to observe the wildlife, there’s something for everyone, all year round. In the spring, breathe in the sweet scent of the rose bushes. Hundreds of roses provide a surprising range of colours! In the summer, you’ll appreciate the freshness of the wooded area – a real walk in the countryside – the area of the park that has retained its wild nature. The Vanne and Lingue streams, flowing from the Yonne, cross here and in winter they sometimes overflow into the park! In the autumn, the colours of the trees are incredible. And in the winter? Head for the warmth of the tropical greenhouses !
You feel like you’ve gone to the tropics!
The greenhouses of the Parc du Moulin à Tan are closed to the public from July 15, 2025, for major renovation work. They will remain closed until November 18, 2025.
As soon as you open the door of the first greenhouse, you are in a desert, surrounded by cactuses of all shapes and sizes, of different colours, all spiky nonetheless! In the second greenhouse you’ve landed in a tropical rainforest with giant banana trees and the main attraction, the Victoria Cruziana, a giant aquatic plant originally from the Amazon. Close your eyes… only the croaking of frogs and drips of water break the silence. Finally, your journey ends among the orchids and a few carnivorous plants!
In each of the three greenhouses information panels provide the answers to all your questions. If you would like to find out more, we recommend the “mercredis des serres” (Wednesdays in the greenhouses), free guided tours in July and August (on Wednesdays, as I’m sure you’ve guessed).
Find out everything there is to know about the greenhouses, their history and species inside !
Entertainment all year round
There’s always something going on at the Parc du Moulin à Tan: photo exhibitions, children’s entertainment, botanical workshops… Take a look at our event’s calendar to stay up to date! Most activities relate to discovering nature. The gardening team regularly offers workshops for all ages to get to know the Parc du Moulin à Tan and the wildlife found there.
In the summer there’s so much going on, including children’s shows and concerts in the late afternoon. You can even cool off with an ice cream from one of the many vendors at the entrance to the Parc du Moulin à Tan.
If you happen to be passing through Sens in September, you might be lucky enough to visit the park during the Saint-Fiacre Celebrations. Admire the flowery floats and talk to the passionate participants and professionals!
Practical information
- Free entrance
- Park open all year round. The greenhouses of the Parc du Moulin à Tan are closed to the public from July 15, 2025, for major renovation work. They will remain closed until November 18, 2025.
- Free parking opposite the main entrance to the park (28 chemin de Babie).
- There are toilets and picnic tables, in the shade of the trees, available for you.
- Dogs are permitted as long as they are kept on a lead.
- You can leave your bicycle at the entrance to the park in the bicycle storage area.
- All practical information
