MAULEVRIER, France – The Maulévrier Oriental Park, Europe’s largest Japanese garden, welcomed 227,000 visitors in 2025, continuing a three-year streak of attracting over 200,000 people annually. This remarkable attendance demonstrates the enduring appeal of Japanese culture and serene garden landscapes.
A Blooming Success Story in Maine-et-Loire
The Maulévrier Oriental Park has seen record attendance figures in recent years, solidifying its place as a premier cultural destination.
- The park received 227,000 visitors in 2025, nearly matching the record of 230,000 set the previous year.
- Attendance has surpassed 200,000 annually for the past three years, a significant milestone.
- Established in 1985, the park is built on land developed as an oriental garden between 1899 and 1913.
- The 20-hectare park features 450 species of trees and designs inspired by the Edo period of Japan.
“This influx testifies to the ever-renewed interest in Japanese culture, the plant richness and the serenity offered by this century-old garden, which has been magnificently restored for 40 years,” said Alain Caillé, director of the Maulévrier Oriental Park.
What makes the Maulévrier Oriental Park so popular? The garden’s unique blend of Japanese aesthetics, diverse plant life, and peaceful atmosphere draws visitors seeking tranquility and cultural immersion. The park’s history, from its initial development to its period of abandonment and subsequent restoration, adds to its allure.
From Abandonment to Acclaim
The land that now houses the Maulévrier Oriental Park was originally developed as a garden between 1899 and 1913. However, it fell into disrepair before being reborn in 1985. Today, the park spans 20 hectares and boasts 450 species of trees, alongside carefully crafted landscapes evoking the Edo period of Japan (17th to 19th centuries).
The park experienced a resurgence in popularity after the Covid-19 pandemic, with 155,000 visitors in 2021—exceeding pre-pandemic levels of 2019.
The park’s consistent attendance figures—230,000 in 2024 and 227,000 in 2025—demonstrate its sustained appeal and its role as a significant cultural and botanical attraction in the Maine-et-Loire region.
