Plant Garden, Montpellier (must see)

The Plant Garden (Jardin des Plantes) in Montpellier, spanning 4.5 hectares, is a historic botanical garden and arboretum located on Boulevard Henri IV in Montpellier. As the oldest botanical garden in France, it was established in 1593 by royal decree from King Henri IV, under the direction of Pierre Richer de Belleval, a professor of botany and anatomy. The garden is inspired by the Orto Botanico di Padova in Italy, the world’s first university botanical garden, and later became the model for the Jardin des Plantes de Paris, created in 1626.

Initially designed to support the teaching of botany and the study of plants used in traditional medicine, the garden was almost destroyed during the siege of Montpellier in 1622 but was restored a few years later. Throughout the 19th century, it was further expanded and embellished. The orangery, designed by Claude-Mathieu Delagardette, was completed in 1804, while the arboretum, landscaped in 1810, features a diverse collection of old and rare trees. The English Garden, established in 1859, added a picturesque pond and greenhouse, and the Martins Greenhouse, a monumental structure, opened in 1860.

Today, the garden hosts around 2,680 plant species, including 500 native to the Mediterranean region. Of these, about 2,000 species thrive outdoors, while 1,000 grow under glass. The garden’s collection includes notable species such as a 400-year-old Phillyrea latifolia, a green olive tree in the family Oleaceae, and a mature Ginkgo biloba, planted in 1795 and later grafted to produce seeds for the first time in France.

Despite its historical significance, parts of the garden, including the orangery, are currently under renovation, and some sections show signs of neglect. However, the garden’s serene pathways, architectural ruins, and ancient trees offer visitors an enchanting experience, even in its less maintained state. Several "beautiful trees" are marked with information boards that describe their characteristics, adding an educational dimension to the visit. This historical and botanical gem continues to serve as a resource for botanical research and education, despite its current need for restoration and renewed support.