Most beautiful flower gardens in Germany & France?

Note that some of the gardens listed are famous French-style gardens designed by Le Notre, but they aren't famous as flower gardens, which is what you asked about in your question. However, these French gardens are breathtaking and worth a trip. You can add Cheverny in the Loire for flower gardens, too.

Wow, thanks everyone for the wonderful suggestions! I'm making a list and checking it twice. I'm leaving a pretty special home garden during it's peak, so I am thrilled with the prospect of seeing so many beautiful gardens on my trip!

Well I have never done a garden tour so to speak, but I do think that Monets Gardens in Giverny are pretty amazing,, not large, but very very nice.

Luisenpark in Mannheim isn't specifically a flower garden, but a highly landscaped urban park. In addition to floral beds, there's also a small zoo, an indoor botanical garden, a restaurant, outdoor theaters, etc. I don't usually recommend people go out of their way to visit Mannheim, but if you're interested in this sort of thing, Luisenpark is one of the best urban parks in Europe... in my opinion...

Villandry Chateau in the Loire Valley is famous for its extensive gardens.

My favorite in Germany is Mainau Island in Lake Constance (Bodensee). You can take a ferry boat to the island or use a pedestrian foot bridge to get there. There's even a castle on the island. If you like Butchart Gardens in Victoria, you'll love this place. Also agree that the Loire Chateau Villandry has a great garden (flowers + veggies).

Sara - I can't help you with Germany but here are some suggestions for France: 1. Giverny, and be sure to walk down the main street to look over the fences to see the village gardens. 2. Malmaison near Paris 3. In Paris, the Parc de Bagatelle in the Bois de Boulogne, the Luxembourg Gardens, and the gardens at the Palais Royale. 4. Chenonceau and Villandry in the Loire Valley area Others that I haven't visited yet but plan to: 1. Chantilly 2. La Roseraie du Val de Marne 3. St Germain en Laye 4. Vaux le Vicomte 5. Versailles
6. Fontainbleau

Nymphenburg Schloss in Munich has a attractive park with gardens.

If you're coming from France (or going there) you could stop off in Zweibruecken, Germany to visit their rose garden. It's not far from the French border. Here is their website, unfortunately I didn't see an English version. I was there a number of years ago and it's beautiful. I visited the island of Mainau in Lake Constance (Bodensee) more recently and agree that it's definitely worth seeing. Ditto Giverny in France, I loved it. Here's the website for the Zweibruecken Rosengarten: http://www.rosengarten-zweibruecken.de/. I have at least one other suggestion but it's located in the Eastern part of Germany and I'll have to look it up, since I've never been there but my family has and loved it. What areas of Germany are you planning to travel in? I found another interesting website that has garden and park info listed by Zip code areas (or so it seems) but again, all in German. If you'd like it, send me a personal message.

Island Mainau is pretty. I also vote for there. The Stuttgart zoo is in fact a botanical garden with a zoo (as opposed to a zoo with flowers). You can find more information on them here: http://www.wilhelma.de/nc/en/home.html

Mainau island in Lake Constance is amazing. I am not a flower person, but if you are- its definitely going to be a highlight. Quite large, has a very pleasant restaurant, and tons of gift shops Villandry Chateaux and also Chenaceaux in Loire;

If you're going to be in the Stuttgart area, the Baroque Gardens at the Ludwigsburg Schloss are beautiful.

Sara, I was also going to suggest Chateau de Villandry in France. The gardens are spectacular! The gardens at Chenonceau are also great, but not as elaborate as Villandry. Happy travels!

Sara , if you go to Versailles go beyond the palace area into the grounds and visit the Flower gardens behind the Grand Trianon,, they are lovely , and filled with flowers( as opposed to much of french formal gardens that are mostly trimmed hedges etc)

Hi, You have some great recommendations for France, such as Malmaison, Versailles, esp., Fontainebleau. I'll suggest a couple in Germany...the gardens at Sans Souci in Potsdam and the Herrenhäuser Gardens in Hannover. You'll find them very interesting and lovely places.

There are so many beautiful gardens in Germany. It really depends which region you're looking for. Clearly Mainau Island in the Lake of Constance is in the top 10 of the country. And also Wörlitz would be listed there. As a matter of fact Wörlitz garden is extremely popular among the British at the moment. It can easily be combinded with Berlin, Leipzig, Spreewald, Wittenberg (for Martin Luther fans) or Dresden. Pictures: http://www.gartenreich-dessau-woerlitz.de/diashow_woerlitz/diashow_woerlitz.html