Bird Hill Park (Parc de la Colline aux Oiseaux)
About Bird Hill Park (Parc de la Colline aux Oiseaux)
The Parc de la Colline aux Oiseaux is a remarkable 17-hectare urban park created in 1994 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the D-Day Normandy landings, remarkably transformed from a former municipal landfill into a stunning floral paradise. The park's centerpiece is its magnificent rose garden featuring over 15,000 roses across 570 varieties, spanning from medieval times to modern cultivars. Visitors can explore themed gardens including a plant maze, gardens representing French cities, international twin cities, perennial collections, and gardens of the world. The park offers excellent family amenities including a 600m² inclusive playground accessible to children with disabilities, an adventure park with rope courses, mini-golf, and a small animal farm with Norman species. Located near the Mémorial de Caen, the park provides panoramic views over the city from various elevated points. Entry is free, though the adventure park activities require separate tickets. The park follows an ecological approach with no chemical treatments, promoting natural biodiversity. Note that dogs are strictly prohibited. Hours vary seasonally - shorter in winter (closes 17:30) and extended in summer (closes 19:30-20:30). Best visited in spring when the roses are in full bloom.
Interesting Facts
The rose garden requires over 3,000 hours of annual maintenance by Caen's horticultural team, making it one of the most labor-intensive garden collections in Normandy. Each of the 570 rose varieties is carefully labeled with its origin and historical period, creating a living timeline of rose cultivation from medieval monastery gardens to modern hybrid tea roses.
The park's remarkable transformation from a landfill was so successful that it has become a model for urban ecological reclamation across France. Without any chemical pesticides or treatments, the natural ecosystem has flourished to such an extent that many native Norman wildflowers have spontaneously reappeared in the meadows, and the park now uses beneficial insects like ladybugs for natural pest control.
The park draws approximately 450,000 visitors annually, making it one of the most visited free attractions in Normandy. Its location next to the Mémorial de Caen creates a powerful contrast - visitors can reflect on the D-Day landings at the museum, then experience the park that was created to celebrate peace and renewal on the 50th anniversary of that historic event.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Location & Practical Info
Address
Avenue Amiral Mountbatten, 14000 Caen, France
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