Every spring, a quiet corner of Haute-Savoie transforms into a living painting worthy of Japan. Here, pink, white, and sometimes unexpected shades burst under the April sun… offering an experience as rare as it is enchanting. Few visitors know it yet, but this place is home to one of the most beautiful collections of cherry blossoms in France.
A setting worthy of Japan… just steps from Annecy
Since the beginning of April, the Tornet estate, in La Balme-de-Sillingy, offers an almost unreal spectacle. Hundreds of flowering cherry trees here compose a delicate and poetic landscape, where each tree seems to tell a different story.
Pure white, pale pink, deep pink… but also much rarer shades like yellow, red or even green: here, the bloom exceeds anything one might imagine. Some flowers are simple, with five perfectly shaped petals, while others unfold into real pom-poms that can reach up to a hundred petals.
The result? A total immersion, like a journey to Japan… without leaving Haute-Savoie.
A unique collection in France
This place owes nothing to chance. In 2013, the municipality of La Balme-de-Sillingy, together with the Fier and Usses Community of Municipalities, welcomed an exceptional collection initiated by the nurseryman Franck Sadrin.
In just one year, more than 300 flowering cherry trees were planted, representing 145 different varieties. The whole now forms the National Collection of Flowering Cherry Trees of Asia, a rare botanical treasure on a national scale.
Some varieties present here are actually endangered, and sometimes even unique: there is said to be only one living specimen left in Japan for some of them. This collection therefore plays an essential role in preserving this plant heritage.
A fleeting bloom not to be missed
Like in Japan with the famous hanami, the magic lasts only for a while. The ideal period to enjoy this spectacle generally lasts from April to early May, depending on the weather.
It is precisely this ephemeral aspect that makes the experience so special. In just a few days, the trees go from discreet buds to a floral explosion… before seeing the petals fly away with the wind.
A walk on the estate’s paths then becomes a timeless pause, between contemplation and wonder.
A cultural and botanical immersion
In Japan, flowering cherry trees are not just a simple decoration. For a long time, they symbolized imperial power before becoming a social marker for the aristocracy.
Even today, they embody the fragile beauty and ephemeral nature of life.
To better understand this cultural and botanical dimension, two guided tours are organized:
- Wednesday, April 15
- Saturday, April 18
- from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Led by a specialized botanist, they explore the origin of cherry trees, their symbolism in Japan, and the hybridization techniques that allowed the creation of such diversity.
Practical information to organize your visit
- Location: Tornet estate, La Balme-de-Sillingy
- Ideal period: April to early May
- Guided tours: April 15 and 18, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Price: free (reservation required)
- Reservation: 06 89 06 76 73
- Advice: wear suitable walking shoes
The meeting point is set in front of the Bois du Tornet building, at the estate entrance.
Between a spring stroll and a sensory journey, this collection of flowering cherry trees is undoubtedly one of the most poetic spectacles to experience in Haute-Savoie in spring. A still preserved place, where each petal reminds us that the most beautiful moments are often the most fleeting.
