Parc Grammont: A Green Oasis in Rouen

Parc Grammont, inaugurated on October 15, 2005, is a 25,000 square meter urban park situated in the Grammont district of Rouen. The park's creation was part of a major city project to revitalize the area. Designed by landscape designer Jacqueline Osty, the park provides a green lung in the city, offering diverse spaces for leisure and recreation. The park is structured with large, straight axes and features five thematic play areas suitable for children and adults, three large lawns accessible to the public, and a pond adorned with aquatic plants. A wooden footbridge crosses the pond, enhancing the park's serene atmosphere. The belvedere, the park's highest point, offers stunning views of the Rouen Cathedral, the Sainte-Catherine hill, and the Bonsecours Basilica. Historically, the site was part of the Royal Park of Rouen in the 12th century. In 1156, Henry II Plantagenet granted part of the park to the monks of the Order of Grandmont, who established a priory there. The monastery lasted until 1772 when the order was dissolved. Later, in the 1930s, the site became the location of the city's new slaughterhouses, which operated until 1998. The slaughterhouses were demolished in 1999, and the park was created as part of an urban renewal project. Today, only the chapel of Grammont, built between 1180 and 1189, remains from the original priory, adjacent to the park's southern entrance. The park is easily accessible by public transport, with bus line F3 stopping at Simone de Beauvoir. A free public parking lot is located on the park's northern border. Parc Grammont is labeled an EcoJardin, recognizing its commitment to ecological management and continuous improvement.