A stroll through France's oldest botanical garden

Created in 1593 at the request of Henri IV, the Montpellier plant garden inspired all the botanical gardens in France, starting with the one in the capital. At the time, the king wanted to use plants to treat diseases. He decided to encourage researchers to work on this subject by creating the Montpellier plant garden.

Managed by the Faculty of Medicine and the teacher Pierre Richer de Belleval, the garden was an important place of study and even housed an astronomy observatory. Up until the 19th century, work was carried out to create several different areas to recreate different environments, ranging from humid, sunny and shady to tropical with exotic plants.

Spread over 4.5 hectares, the Montpellier plant garden has several areas housing more than 2,600 species. There is a 267 m² greenhouse, an English garden, a lotus pond and Richer's Mountain. This area, the oldest, is home to Mediterranean trees planted by the teacher Pierre Richer de Belleval.

As you stroll along the garden paths, it's impossible to miss the imposing building known as the Orangery. Designed by the architect Claude-Mathieu de la Gardette, this enclosed space is intended to protect sensitive species in winter. Built in 1806, the building was renovated in 2018.

There is also a monument to the famous doctor François Rabelais. At the Orangerie, you'll find citrus trees in winter, as well as palm trees that are not native to tropical regions but are found in Australia, for example.

The oldest tree in the garden is not to be missed: it's a broad-leaved phyllaria, also known as the "Lover's Tree". If you're superstitious, you can slip all your love wishes into its bark.

Among the species not to be missed are many from the United States, such as the pecan tree (which produces pecans) and Lambert cypress, found in California, as well as the endemic Tassili cypress from the Sahara.

⭐Best Western Hôtel Le Guilhem 3*

An unusual establishment located 100 metres from the Plant Garden, this hotel occupies a building dating back to the 16th century. Some rooms at Hôtel Le Guilhem are set in vaulted spaces with exposed stonework and have direct access to the panoramic terrace, which offers a view of Saint-Pierre Cathedral. Modern and comfortable, they feature a TV, a bathtub and a minibar.

🍴 Le Petit Jardin

A veritable institution, Le Petit Jardin offers elaborate traditional cuisine. On the menu: meat, fish but also vegetarian dishes. Well known to locals since the 60s, the restaurant has made a name for itself with tourists. From the tree-lined terrace, and a table set between bamboo and palm trees, customers are sure to feel the urge to travel.

⏰Opening times: the park opens every day from 12pm to 8pm, except in winter when it closes at 6pm.

👉 Visits: tours are free for individuals or groups (15 to 25 people) but you can also opt for a guided tour on request.

👛 Price: free

🚌 Access: By bus, lines 6, 7 or 7, Peyrou stop. By tram, lines 1, 4 Albert 1er - St Charles or Cathédrale. By car, park in the Pitot car park (fee payable).

📍 Location: Bd Henri IV, 34000 Montpellier