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Your most frequently asked questions Where
are Reford Gardens? The Reford Gardens are located in Grand-Métis, Quebec, on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, 350 kilometres (220 miles) east of Quebec City, equidistant between Rimouski and Matane. You can also consult the section How to get here on our web site for more information. The gardens are easily accessible by road, airplane, train and bus. For more information, consult the section How to get here on our web site.
Are the gardens clearly identified on the highway? The gardens are well identified with blue tourism road signs, indicating « Les Jardins de Métis » along Route 132. To get here, please consult the road map. Do I need to reserve to visit the gardens? No, you can visit the gardens during operating hours without reservations. However, groups of 15 persons and more should contact us to confirm their reservation. How long does it take to visit the Gardens and the Festival? A visit of the gardens generally takes between 1 ½ and 3 hours. The visit of the International Garden Festival takes about one hour.
The paths cover 1 mile (1,6 km). Can handicapped people and persons with reduced mobility easily access the site? Yes. Wheelchairs are available at no cost. We recommend however that you reserve before your arrival by calling (418) 775-2222. The paths are easy to travel. They are covered with compacted gravel. Ramps are also present on the site to facilitate access to the buildings. The museum is located on the second story and is accessible by a staircase. Access for those with limited mobility is thus limited. Are there umbrellas and raincoats available onsite? Raincoats and umbrellas are available in limited quantities for visitors at no cost.
Guide tours are offered to groups of 15 persons and more upon reservation only. The tour costs $25 per guide and includes the Reford Gardens and the International Garden Festival (if included in the reservation). We recommend one guide per group of 25 persons. Are we allowed to walk our dog through the gardens? Pets are permitted in the parking area and on the pathways leading to the mouth of the Mitis River. Pets are not admitted to the historic gardens or the site of the International Garden Festival. What is the blossoming time for the blue poppies? The blooming period of the blue poppy extends from mid-June to mid-July and reaches its peak during the first half of July.
Can I buy blue poppy seeds at Reford Gardens? Yes. Seeds are accessible at the Garden Shop and via our Catalogue or by contacting boutiquehorticole@jardinsmetis.com. Are there places to eat at Reford Gardens? The Garden Café and the Visitor Pavilion are open every day and offer light meals. Estevan Lodge welcomes visitors with reservations (418-775-2222) for brunches on Sundays throughout the summer. For more information, visit the section Services on our web site.
What about reserving to dine at the gardens? Our restaurant facilities welcome visitors every day without reservations. However, if you would like to bring a group, a reservation is required. For reservations, please contact us at (418) 775-2222. Is there a lot to do near the gardens? The Métis area is one of Quebec's oldest summer resorts. A plethora of choices is available. In a 10-kilometre (6 miles) radius, there is the Mitis River Park, several art galleries and inns, fine regional cuisine, three golf courses, equestrian facilities, and a spa. The natural beauty of the region also has much to offer. You can walk along the beach, watch seals, fish for salmon or trout, or birdwatch. For more information about the region’s activities and attractions, consult the Association touristique de la Gaspésie Web site or order a Gaspésie official tourist guide by calling 1 800 463-0323.
A range of accommodation is offered nearby. Please consult The Accommodation List for further information. To obtain a copy of the Gaspésie official tourist guide, call 1 800 463-0323 or visit the Association touristique de la Gaspésie Web site. Who do the Reford Gardens belong to? Reford Gardens are owned and operated by Les Amis des Jardins de Métis, a not for profit corporation and charitable organization. The corporation ensures the preservation and development of the Reford Gardens. For more information, consult the section History on our Web site.
Yes. There are now over 500 Friends of Métis. Our members help us to maintain one of the most beautiful private gardens of the province and one of the most sought after tourist attractions in Québec. For more information, consult the section Making a Donation on our Web site. How can I obtain information on the Gardens and their history? Several books on the Reford Gardens have been written by Elsie Reford's great-grandson and director of the gardens, Alexander Reford. The guide book Reford Gardens (Fides, 2001) describes the historical background and horticultural diversity of the gardens. Reford Gardens. Elsie's Paradise (Les Éditions de l'Homme, 2004) provides a complete history of the gardens and their development. These publications are available at the Garden Shop, in most bookstores or by contacting us. You can also consult the section History on our Web site.
What is the International Garden Festival?
A laboratory of ideas and a showcase for the avant-garde, the International Garden Festival returns for its 4th edition. The main attraction is the temporary gardens created by designers from Canada and around the world. A range of activities (workshops, lectures, exhibitions, and events) complete the program. The 2003 edition of the International Garden Festival had a Mediterranean flavour, with gardens created by designers from Catalogna, Italy and Morocco complementing the original creations by designers from Canada and the United States.
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