Jardin des plantes de Montpellier

The Jardin des plantes de Montpellier (4.5 hectares) is a historic botanical garden and arboretum located on Boulevard Henri IV, Montpellier, Hérault, Languedoc-Roussillon, France. It is maintained by the Université Montpellier 1 and open afternoons daily except Monday; admission is free.

The garden was established in 1593 by letters patent from King Henri IV, under the leadership of Pierre Richer de Belleval, professor of botany and anatomy. It is France's oldest botanical garden, inspired by the Orto botanico di Padova (1545) and in turn serving as model for the Jardin des Plantes de Paris (1626).

The Montagne de Richer lies within the garden's oldest section, which also now contains a systematic garden. The garden was expanded twice in the 19th century. Its orangery was designed by Claude-Mathieu Delagardette (1762–1805) and completed in 1804, the arboretum was landscaped in 1810, and the English Garden, with pool and greenhouse, dates from 1859. The monumental Martins greenhouse opened in 1860.

Today the garden contains about 2,680 plant species, including 500 native to the Mediterranean region. Of these roughly 2,000 species are grown outdoors, and 1,000 under glass. Major sections of the garden are as follows:

  • Montagne de Richer - a Cistaceae collection
  • Systematic garden - plants classified according to the Bentham & Hooker system, 1883, complemented by Elias Durand, 1887.
  • Medicinal plants - about 250 plants of traditional Mediterranean medicines and herbs
  • Succulents - about 50 species
  • Orangery and cold greenhouse - about 110 species
  • Palm trees - 9 varieties, including Brahea armata and Butia capitata.
  • Arboretum - Fine mature specimens including Acer neapolitanum, Celtis sinensis, Cinnamomum camphora, Cupressus goveniana, Cupressus macrocarpa, Cupressus sempervirens, Quercus calliprinos, Quercus coccifera, and Zelkova serrata. The male Gingko biloba, planted in the late 18th century, is particularly noteworthy.
  • Greenhouse - 423 species in three rooms, including a tropical room with large central basin for aquatic plants, and two temperate rooms. Of interest are the collections of ferns, Bromeliaceae, and Orchidaceae, with good collections from French Guiana.
  • Naturalized plants - including Delphinium requienii, Fumaria bicolor, Fumaria kralikii, Linaria reflexa, Modiola caroliniana, Salpichroa origanifolia, Symphytum orientale, and Stipa trichotoma.

See also

  • Jardin botanique de Saint Xist, an affiliate garden

References

  • Jardin des plantes de Montpellier
  • Rioux, Jean Antoine. Le Jardin des plantes de Montpellier. Graulhet : Odyssée, 1994, 230 p. ISBN 2-909478-01-7.
  • Rioux, Jean Antoine. Le Jardin des plantes de Montpellier : les leçons de l'histoire. Montpellier : Sauramps Medical, 2004, 114 p. ISBN 2-84023-307-X.
  • Jarry, Daniel & Balmès, Michel. Les Plantes médicinales au jardin botanique : vade-mecum au jardin des plantes de Montpellier. Montpellier : Sauramps médical, 2004, 104 p. ISBN 2-84023-368-1.
  • Jarry, Daniel M. Le jardin des plantes de Montpellier : à découvrir ou à redécouvrir. Montpellier : Sauramps médical, 2008, 90 p. ISBN 978-2-84023-549-1.
  • 1001 Fleurs entry (French)
  • Je Decouvre la France entry (French)
  • French Wikipedia article
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Eric Bell
5 April 2015
Loosely maintained botanical garden, a contemplative atmosphere full of readers, lovers, and sunbathers.
Fernando Martínez
31 October 2013
Beautiful and peaceful for a nice meditation or to read a book.
Gaël Géranton de Bouillanne
Plus ancien jardin botanique de France fondé en 1593 sur demande d'Henri IV. MH depuis 1992. 2 200 espèces à ciel ouvert et 1 000 sous serres. Monument de Rabelais ettombeau de Narcissa.
Hassen Ben Hamida
28 February 2017
Petit jardin qui n'ouvre au public qu'à midi. Il dépend de l'université de médecine et abrite une collection d'herbes médicinales.
Crousty Choupi
25 September 2017
Très joli , dommage que la serre soit fermée.
Maxim Saveliev
16 June 2013
Самый старый во Франции Ботанический сад был создан в 1593 году учёным-ботаником Пьером-Рише де Белльвалем по распоряжению Генриха IV.
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7 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Jaumes, 34000 Montpellier, France Get directions
Sat Noon–7:00 PM
Sun 11:00 AM–7:00 PM
Mon Noon–1:00 PM
Tue 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
Wed-Thu Noon–7:00 PM

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