Are you looking for nature and peace-and-quiet right near the town centre of Sens? Or maybe you’re looking for activities for children who need a good run about and to observe animals at the same time? Or do you need a tropical getaway? The Parc du Moulin à Tan can give you all of this and more! It covers 15 hectares, with wide alleyways, play areas, undergrowth, tropical greenhouses, and all of this just a few minutes from the town centre… We can see why this park is one of the top attractions of Burgundy! It is especially a great place to go for a walk and cross paths with other nature lovers, and it is 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 may seem strange to you… it comes from the ancient windmill (moulin in French) which was built here in 1887 and which allowed the tannin to be extracted from tree bark, to then send to the nearby tanneries. It has since been reconverted into a huge landscaped park. It is 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 or the Parcours Permanents d’Orientation (Permanent Orientation Course). This fun activity involves finding the various markers dotted 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 sporty trails. You 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, come and breathe in the sweet scent of the rose bushes… The hundreds of roses provide a surprising range of colours! In the summer, you’ll appreciate the freshness of the undergrowth – 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 !
Alleys in the Parc du Moulin à Tan
Alleys in the Parc du Moulin à Tan
The Parc du Moulin à Tan in Autumn
The Vanne stream in the Parc du Moulin à Tan
Arboretum of the Parc du Moulin à Tan
Wild animals in the Parc du Moulin à Tan
Rose bushes in the Parc du Moulin à Tan
Bolée Windmill in the Parc du Moulin à Tan
You feel like you’ve gone to the tropics!
But be warned, there is no middle ground! 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! Then in the second greenhouse, you’ve landed in a tropical rainforest with giant banana tree or the main attraction, the Victoria Cruziana, a giant aquatic plant originally from the Amazon. Close your eyes… Only the croaking 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, there are information panels that will provide the answers to all your questions. If you would like to find out more, we recommend you come to 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 see what’s going on! Most activities are on the theme of discovering nature. Other than the “mercredis des serres”, 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. You’ll be able to admire the flowery floats or talk to the passionate participants and professionals!
Practical information
- Free entrance
- Park open all year round, the tropical greenhouses are open every afternoon.
- 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
