Exotic garden of Èze, a balcony overlooking the Mediterranean
Or ? In Èze, Var.
In two words
On the side of the rock, cacti, agaves, aloes and many other species flourish at an altitude of over 400 meters facing the Big Blue. Created in 1949, this exotic garden is the crazy bet of a mayor who was already betting on tourism.
He was right. Its rocky peak, dressed in succulents and crowned with the ruins of a 12th century castle, is one of the most beautiful attractions in the region.
The singularity
The view, sublime! In good weather, it carries as far as Saint-Tropez and sometimes Corsica.
The plus
The lounge chairs to enjoy the view.
Good to know
QR code system to find the name and characteristics of each plant, at home, once the sign is scanned in the garden.
Rue du Château, 06360 Èze. Phone. : 04 93 41 10 30. jardinexotique-eze.fr
Jardin Georges Delaselle, a green oasis in the English Channel
Granitic chaos in the exotic island garden Georges Delaselle which presents a botanical collection of nearly 2,500 species. Jardin Georges Delaselle / Photo press
Or ? Île de Batz, opposite Roscoff, Finistère.
In two words
It is a pebble in the English Channel which ricochets in the imagination. On the 320 hectare island, the garden (2.5 hectares) invites you to travel in the most arid regions of the desert and in the tropical and semi-tropical jungle. Playing on contrasts, it was created by the Parisian Georges Delaselle who fell in love with the place at the end of the 19th century.
The singularity
A collection of island flora (Canary Islands, Madeira, Robinson Crusoe, Australia, New Zealand ...) on this island nicknamed, more than a century ago, "the island without trees".
The plus
A few works of contemporary art line the garden.
Good to know
The island is accessible in 15 minutes crossing from Roscoff where you will not miss the Exotic Garden of Roscoff.
29253 Batz Island. Phone. : 02 98 61 75 65. jardin-georgesdelaselle.bzh
Botanical Garden of Vauville, a family tree and elsewhere
The path of the ferns of the Botanical Garden of Vauville. Franck Boucourt
Or ? La Hague, Manche.
In two words
Is the Green Hand passed down from generation to generation? Perhaps. Rolling up his sleeves in 2017, Eric Pellerin took over the garden managed by his father and created in 1948 by his perfumer grandfather at Roger & Gallet, a great traveler and sailor. On the 5 hectares, this collection of plants and southern trees contrasts with the neighboring moors evoking Scotland. Palm groves, royal ferns (and huge), eucalyptus ... A little paradise, the sea 300 meters away.
The singularity
The most northern palm grove in Europe and the collection of rare evergreen plants and trees.
The plus
La Ferme du Jardin to entertain young and old.
Good to know
Two lodgings will soon be available in one wing of the castle and in the village.
1, route du Thôt, 50440, Vauville, La Hague. Phone. : 02 33 10 00 00. jardin-vauville.fr
Domaine du Rayol, the Mediterranean garden, between land and sea
The extraordinary marine path of the Domaine de Rayol. Domaine du Rayol / Photo press
Or ? Rayol-Canadel-Sur-Mer, Var.
In two words
30 years ago, landscape gardener Gilles Clément designed this superb 20 hectare garden at the request of the Conservatoire du Littoral. He sculpted natural and emblematic landscapes of distant regions subject to a Mediterranean type climate (Canaries, Australia, South Africa…). Since then, the trip is at the end of the path, not far from the smells of the maquis.
The singularity
The “marine garden” to discover in mask and snorkel, in the water! With a guide, by reservation.
The plus
Le Café des Jardiniers, an outdoor restaurant whose menu uses fresh and mainly local products.
Good to know In
addition to the Gardeners' Bookshop (more than 3,000 dedicated titles) and the Nursery, numerous workshops and training courses around the garden are possible.
Avenue Jacques Chirac, 83820 Rayol-Canadel-Sur-Mer. Phone. : 04 98 04 44 00. domainedurayol.org
Botanical garden of Val Rahmeh-Menton, in the shade of palm trees
The giant lily pond of the Val Rahmeh-Menton botanical garden. MNHN / A. Latzoura
Or ? Menton, Alpes-Maritime.
In two words
It is a poetry of greenery carved by the hands of the various owners and, since 1966, by those of the specialists of the National Museum of Natural History. This garden (1.5 hectares) is home to many species from areas of the northern hemisphere to the southern hemisphere: succulents from Central America, tree ferns from New Zealand, giant bamboos from tropical Asia ... And Sophora toromiro , endemic shrub of Easter Island which has disappeared in the wild.
The singularity
Facing the sea, the giant lily pad (Victoria Cruziana) whose flowers can reach 30 cm in diameter.
The plus
The upcoming exhibition "The know-how of the Museum" offers to go behind the scenes of the gardening profession but also of curator, healer, taxidermist ...
Good to know
Thursday, possible visit of the garden with a gardener. Dates to check.
Avenue Saint-Jacques, 06500 Menton. Phone. : 04 93 35 86 72. jardinbotaniquevalrahmehmenton.fr