Jardins des Plantes, Montpellier — Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

Stroll through France's oldest botanical garden, a living testament to over 430 years of horticultural history and scientific discovery. Created in 1593 by Pierre Richer de Belleval, a doctor-professor commissioned by King Henri IV, the Jardins des Plantes was revolutionary in its time. The original mission promoted "health through medicinal plants," but Richer's vision rapidly expanded beyond medicine, establishing the first dedicated botanical study garden in France. So influential was this garden that it became the model for all subsequent French botanical gardens, including the famous Jardin des Plantes de Paris, founded 40 years later. Today the garden covers nearly 5 hectares in central Montpellier, housing 2,679 plant species representing botanical diversity from across the globe. Walking through the garden, plants are organized by family, function, and origin, preserving the Renaissance geometric principles combined with botanical knowledge that guided its original design. The layout seamlessly merges aesthetic beauty with scientific education, allowing you to explore the plant world as both art and science. With Questo, you can discover the fascinating stories of rare plants, medicinal uses, and the botanical pioneers who shaped European science right here in Montpellier.