Jardin d'Essais Botaniques de Rabat (Botanical Trial Garden of Rabat), Rabat

The Botanical Trial Garden is one of Rabat’s most significant green spaces, spanning 17 hectares in the Agdal district. Established in 1914 under the French Protectorate, the garden was a project of Lyautey, designed by renowned landscape architect Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier-the mastermind behind several iconic gardens in France, Spain, and Morocco.

Originally intended as a test and acclimatization garden, it housed over 250 varieties of fruit and ornamental trees from around the world. Over time, its botanical richness expanded to more than 600 species and over 1,000 varieties, making it the largest public garden in Rabat and a blueprint for the botanical gardens of Marrakech (25 hectares) and Meknes (30 hectares).

The garden is divided by a road into two distinct sections: the western side, home to a Moorish garden and a museum; and the eastern side, a more formal layout showcasing distinct plant collections, including rare tropical, subtropical, and succulent species, as well as an arboretum.

Having faced years of neglect, the gardens underwent extensive renovations before reopening to the public in 2013 under the patronage of Morocco’s King. Despite ongoing restoration efforts, Forestier’s signature design remains visible in the intimate garden spaces, hidden pathways, and harmonious integration of plant life with architectural elements.

Beyond its botanical value, the Botanical Trial Garden holds historical and cultural significance. Classified as a national heritage site in 1992, it sits within Rabat’s UNESCO World Heritage zone, further cementing its importance in Morocco’s landscape and urban planning history.