Jardins de la Francesa, Girona

Gardens in Girona

Jardins de la Francesa looking towards the Cathedral
Jardins de la Francesa, Girona
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Enric

Hidden in plain sight behind the apse of Girona Cathedral, Jardins de la Francesa is one of the Barri Vell's best “quiet corners”. It is a small garden space where stone walls, shade, and the back-of-cathedral views create a calmer mood than the surrounding lanes. It feels less like a formal attraction and more like a local shortcut that happens to be scenic.

If you are mapping a self-guided walking tour, this is a smart connector stop: you can pause here, take in the cathedral's rear façade and details, then continue directly onto the Passeig de la Muralla for elevated viewpoints over rooftops and towers.

History and Significance of the Jardins de la Francesa

The gardens sit in Girona’s historic upper quarter, immediately beside the cathedral complex and the line of the old fortifications. That positioning is the point: this is a threshold space where Girona’s monumental religious centre and its defensive landscape overlap, which is why the garden feels both intimate and “strategic” at the same time.

Local tradition ties the name “Francesa” to a well-known legend connected with a French woman and the cathedral area, and the story has helped the gardens stick in visitors' memories beyond their modest size. Whether or not you care about the legend, the setting makes the history easy to read: old stone, elevated ground, and a natural route that leads you onto the walls.

Things to See and Do in the Jardins de la Francesa

First, treat it as a viewpoint garden rather than a destination you “do” quickly. The most satisfying moments come from looking back at the cathedral’s rear architecture and noticing how different it feels from the grand front approach-more textural, more revealing, and often less busy.

Second, use the gardens as your springboard onto the Passeig de la Muralla. Even a short stretch of the wall walk changes your sense of Girona's layout, because you can trace the old quarter from above and pick out landmarks you will pass later at street level.

Finally, this is an excellent “pace reset” stop. If you have been threading narrow lanes and stairways, the garden’s open feel and benches make it a practical place to regroup before continuing deeper into the Barri Vell.

How to Get to the Jardins de la Francesa

Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO) is the closest airport, while Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) is the main international gateway and a common starting point for Girona visits. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Girona on Booking.com.

From Barcelona, trains to Girona are the standard option; from Girona station you can walk into the centre and then climb into the Barri Vell toward the cathedral area and the walls. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio.

If you are travelling by car, avoid trying to drive deep into the medieval core and instead use a car park outside the tightest Barri Vell streets, then walk up to the cathedral/walls zone for the final approach. If you are looking to rent a car in Spain I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Jardins de la Francesa

  • Entrance fee: Free.
  • Opening hours: 24 Hours
  • Best time to visit: Late afternoon is ideal for softer light on the stonework and a calmer feel before dinner in the old town.
  • How long to spend: 15-30 minutes works well as a breather, or 60-90 minutes if you continue onto the walls for viewpoints.
  • Accessibility: Expect steps and uneven surfaces around this part of the Barri Vell; plan a slower route if you have mobility constraints.
  • Facilities: Limited on-site facilities, so plan cafés and restrooms in the nearby lanes around the cathedral area before or after.

Where to Stay Close to the Jardins de la Francesa

For a culture-heavy Girona itinerary, base yourself in the Barri Vell so you can reach the cathedral and walls early and late with minimal effort; if your priority is easy arrivals, departures, and simpler access, stay nearer the station-side centre and walk or taxi into the old town as needed.

For a characterful stay right by the historic core, Hotel Museu Llegendes de Girona places you in the old quarter within easy walking distance of the cathedral area. If you prefer a polished boutique option that is still very walkable to the Barri Vell, Hotel Nord 1901 is a strong base for short stays and early starts.

If you want something central with straightforward access to both the old town and the modern centre, Hotel Ciutat de Girona is well positioned for a mixed itinerary that includes sights, dining, and practical logistics.

Is the Jardins de la Francesa Worth Visiting?

Yes-because it delivers Girona atmosphere with almost no commitment. It is a small stop, but it is one of the easiest ways to see the “backstage” side of the cathedral and to transition onto the city walls without forcing a rigid route.

Honest pivot: if you are doing Girona at full speed and only want marquee highlights, you can skip the garden itself and focus on the cathedral area plus one strong viewpoint on the walls. If steps and uneven paving are a serious constraint, you may find more value in flatter routes along the river and the bridges, keeping the upper Barri Vell for a short, selective climb.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.6 (93)

Visitors describe Jardins de la Francesa as a serene, picturesque garden near Girona Cathedral and the historic city walls, with paths, benches, and shaded spots that make it a pleasant place to rest. Many highlight the attractive medieval surroundings and elevated views over the city. A minor recurring drawback is that the garden can appear dry or somewhat unkempt at times.

Nanita
9 months ago
"The Jardins de la Francesa are public gardens located near the Girona Cathedral. The start of the historic defensive walls of Girona can also beaccessed from here too. Benches are spread around allowing guests a chance to rest and enjoy the surroundings. The gardens are truly lovely to visit..."
Erico PS
a year ago
"The Jardins de la Francesa in Girona, located in the historic city center, are a part of the beautiful and well-preserved medieval architecture thatGirona is known for. These gardens provide a serene and picturesque environment, surrounded by the ancient city walls and offering views of the city’s iconic landmarks. The gardens are named after a French woman who lived there in the 19th century, and they feature a variety of plants and flowers, as well as pathways for walking and exploring. If you have specific questions or need more details about the gardens, feel free to ask!..."
Tim Husain
a year ago
"Beautiful gardens and buildings up the hill with great views over the city."

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

This works best as a short, flexible pause between bigger sights-outdoors, low pressure, and easy to turn into a “find the best view” mini challenge. Pair it with a brief walls segment rather than a long walk if you want the payoff without tired legs.

Be aware that the upper old town has steps and edges that require basic supervision. If you time it outside peak hours, it is also easier to keep the group together in the narrower approaches.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

Jardins de la Francesa is a good “quiet interlude” stop: it is intimate, scenic, and naturally slows you down. It pairs well with a late-afternoon walls stroll and then a downhill drift into the lanes for dinner.

For photos, use the garden as your warm-up and then step onto the walls for wider skyline shots. The contrast between greenery and stone gives you variety without travelling far.

Budget Travelers

It is free, central, and scenic, which makes it a strong value stop when you are prioritising what to pay for in Girona. Use it to build a satisfying old-town loop where the only spend is food and coffee.

It also helps you keep the day feeling “full” even if you choose only one paid interior elsewhere. Think of it as a quality connector that improves the flow of your walking route.

FAQs for Visiting Jardins de la Francesa

Getting There

It is in the Barri Vell behind Girona Cathedral, right by the upper old-town area that links onto the city walls. If you are already near the cathedral, you are only a few minutes away.
Walk toward the cathedral zone first, then follow the upper lanes that run behind the cathedral toward the walls. If you keep climbing gently, you will naturally reach the garden area.
From the station, head toward the old town and then climb into the Barri Vell toward the cathedral area. If you want to save your energy for the steps, take a short taxi ride to the upper old town edge and continue on foot.

Visiting Experience

Fifteen minutes is enough for the atmosphere and a few photos. If you add a short walls segment, it becomes a more complete mini-stop without taking over your day.
Yes, because it fits neatly into the cathedral-and-walls corridor and does not require a separate trip. It improves your route rather than competing with bigger sights.
A simple loop is: cathedral area, Jardins de la Francesa, a short Passeig de la Muralla stretch, then back down into the Barri Vell lanes. That gives you both elevated views and street-level character.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

Many routes pass close by because it sits on the natural line between the cathedral and the walls. Even when it is not highlighted as a named stop, it often appears as a brief pause point.
Independent works well because the space is intuitive and the appeal is mostly atmosphere and views. A guided tour helps more if you want deeper context about the fortifications and Girona’s upper-quarter history.
Start near the cathedral, detour through the gardens, walk a short section of the walls for viewpoints, then descend through the Barri Vell to pick a café stop. It is compact, scenic, and easy to adjust.

Photography

Yes, particularly if you like stone-and-greenery contrasts and architectural details from unusual angles. It is also a calmer place to compose shots than the main cathedral approach.
Late afternoon tends to flatter the stone and reduces harsh shadows. Early morning can be quieter and gives you a more “local Girona” feel.
As an outdoor garden space, casual photography is typically straightforward. If you move into adjacent interiors elsewhere in the cathedral zone, rules can change, so check signage when you enter ticketed areas.

Accessibility & Facilities

Some approaches involve steps and uneven paving common to Girona’s upper old town. If accessibility is a priority, plan a route that minimises steep climbs and be prepared for slower pacing.
Yes, the garden setting is well suited to a short sit-down pause. If you want a longer rest, you will find more options in the nearby lanes and squares once you head back down.

Food & Breaks Nearby

The streets and small squares around the cathedral and the Barri Vell lanes are the most convenient. For more choice and an easier stroll, drift toward the river-side areas after your wall walk.

Safety & Timing

The Barri Vell is generally pleasant in the evening, especially around the main walking routes, but it can be quieter in the upper lanes. If you prefer a livelier atmosphere, visit late afternoon and then head down toward busier streets for dinner.
Early morning is best for calm and fewer people. Later in the day is best if you want warm light and the option to roll straight into dinner plans.

Nearby Attractions to the Jardins de la Francesa

The Jardins de la Francesa appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Girona!

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Moira & Andy

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

24 Hours

Price:

Free.

Address: Jardins de La Francesa, Carrer del Bisbe Josep Cartañà, Girona, Spain
Girona: 1 km
Official Website

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