Geography
The Parc Floral de la Source extends over . It uses the natural contours of the site and consists of open spaces where the flora, fauna and minerals are juxtaposed. Its unique geographical position, between the wooded region of Sologne and the plains of the Loire Valley, gives it a particular relief. At its centre, after an underground course of several miles, is the ''Bouillon'': theHistory
In 510, the land was ceded to the monks of the Abbey Saint-Mesmin de Micy byOrganisation of the park
The Parc Floral consists of two main parts: the ''plateau de Sologne'' and the ''plaine du Val de Loire''.Plateau de Sologne
The plateau is covered by a semi-natural forest of hornbeams and oaks. It is joined to the plain by a hillside which corresponds to a former fluvial terrace of the Loire. Located on the plateau are animal enclosures for a variety of species, including alpaca andLa plaine du Val de Loire
The plain of the Loire valley is given over to floral and horticultural works. It includes the iris garden, the Miroir rose garden, the valley of perennials, the garden of the Source, the exotic butterfly glasshouse, the kitchen garden and the dahlia garden. Aviaries exhibit birds from several continents. This area also includes the source of Loiret.The gardens and its collections
The park has several gardens including collections of ferns andExhibitions
In 1967, the ''Floralies internationales d'Orléans'' attracted visitors in six months. The global budget was more than one million francs. From April to October 1967, Orléans became the world capital of horticulture: 330 exhibitors, 700 producers from 11 countries, m² of glasshouses specially constructed to house successive exhibitions on 35 hectares. Apart from horticulture, the ''Floralies'' included several attractions including a reconstruction of a Gaulois village, thus destroying an ancient temple. Other exhibitions : in 1996, ''voyage en chrysanthèmes'' and ''la ronde des fougères''; in 1998, ''la fête de l'iris''; in 1999, ''jardins du monde'' (30th salon of the chrysanthemum) and the ''international salon of the dahlia and fruits of autumn''; in 2000, '' bulbs in flower''; in 2001, ''le parc de tous les enchantements'' et ''le monde des nains-ventés''; in 2003, ''chrysanthèmes recup’art''; in 2006, ''festival of exotic birds'' and ''orchids''; in 2007, le festival de l'iris.Access
The park can be reached from the A71 motorway (exit 2); via the Route nationale 20; by train (nearest stations Aubrais or Orléans); by line A of the Orléans tramway or line 20 of the Semtao bus network. Lines 3, 5, 7 and 8 of the Ulys bus network serve Orléans-la-Source. Admission to the park costs 6 € for an adult, 4 € for a child between 6 and 16 years, free for those under 6. Ticket office close an hour before the close of the park. Season tickets and group rates are available. Opening times vary with the seasons. In 2009: :20 March to 4 October - 10h to 19h :5 October to 11 November - 10h to 18h :12 November to 19 March - 14h to 17h. The park is closed on 1 January and 25 December.Bibliography
* ''Le parc floral de la Source'', May 2006, Rustica * Anne-Marie Royer-Pantin ''Orléans, le temps des jardins'' 2005, HesseExternal links
*Maps and satellite views
* - Plans et vues satellites du parc floral de la SourceSource :Notes and references
Based on the article in French Wikipedia, '' Parc Floral de la Saource'' {{reflist La Source, Parc Floral de La Source, Parc Floral de