Castle and museum gardens and public or private parks—so many green spaces and nature that open their doors during this bucolic event that has become a staple. The Rendez-Vous aux Jardins invite us, for one weekend, from June 5 to 7, 2026, to discover the beautiful venues of the Île-de-France region in a new light, thanks to an outdoor program of activities and guided tours—a true insider tip for nature lovers.
The Musée d'Art et de Culture Soufis, which opens in September 2024 in Chatou, France, is the first of its kind in the Yvelines! The museum's garden, at the back of a superb mansion, offers a space of serenity and meditation, featuring both the symbolic flora of plants typical of Persian gardens, such as cypress, fruit trees, rose and jasmine, as well as plants often found in gardens in France, and a monumental fountain in the shape of an eight-pointed star at its center.
The Museum of Sufi Art and Culture: a spiritual journey in Chatou (78) - our photos
In Chatou, in the Yvelines department, the first museum dedicated to the art and culture of Sufism opens its doors to you to discover this spiritual current of Islam, through a collection of ancient objects and works of art. [Read more]
In-depth tour (free)
Embark on a stroll through the museum’s garden and get up close to nature with a magnifying glass and a guide provided for you!
With family in tow, dive into a playful, immersive visit to the MACS MTO’s garden. Armed with magnifiers, kids and adults alike are invited to inspect the garden’s plants, insects, and other discreet residents up close. Using the worksheets supplied by the museum, learn to recognize these little wonders of nature and discover their secrets firsthand. It’s a sensory, educational experience designed to spark curiosity in both children and grown-ups and to offer a fresh perspective on the biodiversity that surrounds us.
By reservation: https://www.macsmto.fr/activites/jardin-a-la-loupe/.
Participation conditions: Garden access is free. - Free | By reservation - https://www.macsmto.fr/activites/jardin-a-la-loupe/
Hours: Friday, June 5, 2026 — 11:00–18:00 | Saturday, June 6, 2026 — 11:00–18:00 | Sunday, June 7, 2026 — 11:00–18:00
Sufi Meditation in the Garden
In the museum garden, join a simple sequence of breathing, attention and gentle movements. This meditation invites you to slow down, anchor yourself in the present moment, and open to the serenity of the setting, at the heart of nature. Conceived as a soothing pause, the session offers a moment to refocus, listen to yourself and others, and cultivate a sense of calm and shared connection in the garden.
No prerequisites. Open to everyone.
The discovery workshops of Sufi meditation at the Museum of Sufi Art and Culture (MTO®) are led by instructors trained in this gentle discipline. Trained in the Tamarkoz® method, they bring their experience and expertise to offer the public a moment of relaxation—timeless and free from daily concerns.
Link to the ticket office: https://www.macsmto.fr/activites/decouverte-de-la-meditation-soufie-au-jardin/
Participation conditions: Full workshop price: €15. Under 26: €10. Job seeker: €9.50. Social minimum benefit recipient: €8. Person with a disability: €8. Companion rate for a person with a disability: €15. - Paid | By reservation - https://www.macsmto.fr/activites/decouverte-de-la-meditation-soufie-au-jardin/
Schedule: Friday, June 5, 2026 — 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Garden tour: medicinal plants
As you wander through the museum's garden, this tour offers a discovery of medicinal plants, their virtues and uses, presented in a sensorial yet accessible way.
Through observation, sharing, and hands-on experience, visitors are invited to take a careful look at the living world, to recognize the properties of plants, and to understand the links they forge with body care and natural balance.
In Sufi tradition, nature is often seen as a space of knowledge and transformation. The garden thus becomes a place of attention and listening, where each plant can be understood not only for its medicinal qualities but also for the subtle bond it weaves between nature, care and knowledge.
Link to the ticket office: https://www.macsmto.fr/activites/visite-du-jardin-les-plantes-medicinales/
Participation conditions: Full-price guided tour: €12.50. Under 26: €10. Under 7: free. Unemployed: €8. Social minima beneficiaries: €7. Person with a disability: free. Accompanying person for a person with a disability: €5. - Paid | By reservation - https://www.macsmto.fr/activites/visite-du-jardin-les-plantes-medicinales/
Times: Saturday, June 6, 2026 — 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM | Sunday, June 7, 2026 — 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Dates and Opening Time
From June 5, 2026 to June 7, 2026
Location
Museum of Sufi Art and Culture MTO
6 Avenue des Tilleuls
78400 Chatou
Route planner
Prices
Free
Official website
rendezvousauxjardins.culture.gouv.fr
The Museum of Sufi Art and Culture: a spiritual journey in Chatou (78) - our photos
