Arboretum de Septmonts

Septmonts, France, France

---

The Arboretum de Septmonts, also known as the Parc du Donjon de Septmonts, is a free, publicly accessible park and arboretum located at Place de la Mairie in Septmonts, Aisne, Picardy, France, created in 1998 within the historic park of a remarkable 14th-century medieval keep (donjon) that was formerly the country seat of the Bishop of Soissons.

The arboretum features more than 200 plant species from around the world and is organized into nine distinct zones (some sources mention three or five areas) each dedicated to tree essences from different geographical regions including Europe, America, and Asia, with the collection continuously growing as local children plant a new tree each year for their seventh birthday.

Beyond its tree collection, the 4.5-hectare park offers visitors an apple orchard of 50 pommiers in the former bishops' garden, a vineyard that rehabilitates local wine heritage, and an aromatic plants garden, making it a true haven of peace perfect for 100% green immersion and well-being just a few minutes from Soissons.

The park is open daily year-round with closing times of 5:30 PM from October 1 to March 31 and 7:00 PM from March 31 to September 30, and the site is ideal for family visits, picnics, and playing ball, while the medieval donjon itself—towering 45 meters high—can be visited from May 2 to September 30 daily and weekends the rest of the year.