Your guide to the top gardens open to the public around France. We have selected some of the best, worthy of a romantic stroll.

The number of gardens open to tourists in France are plentiful and all simply stunning. You can never fail to appreciate the work involved in transforming a simple piece of land into a work of art. In a lot of instances, the huge gardens accompany an impressive building, which acts as the perfect back-drop to the beautifully maintained grounds.

Relaxing with a picnic or enjoying a leisurely stroll, a 'jardin' or 'parc' is the perfect way to while away an afternoon.

Image: Versailles Palace - Rights of Use copyright: MDLF/Hervé Le Gac