Jardin des Plantes, Montpellier

In 1593, Henri IV, very much interested in curing diseases by plants, asked Pierre Richer de Belleval, an anatomy and botanical teacher, to create a Royal Garden inspired by famous Italian "medical garden". The Botanical Garden of Montpellier later became the model for the famous Botanical Garden in Paris built later in 1635.

Used only to gather all plants with a medicinal power, the Royal Botanical Garden was an incredible tools for all students in medicine, (the University of Medicine, the oldest in France, is just a stone away) but the Garden quickly became more than that and turned into a powerful tool for all botanical studies, which was unique and never done before in France.
In the XVII century, the Garden became a Scientific Garden, housing plants from all over the world. You will have to understand that it was really new at the time, and the Garden complete new approach in housing plant and trying to create different climates to accommodate some very exotic plants made The Garden very famous indeed.
In 1841, for the very first time the Garden was made public and not only scholars and doctors were given access but also tourists, and lovers! For the Garden is a very romantic place indeed!

The Botanical Garden now belongs to the University of Medicine and is still open to public for free and house a planetarium. It has been made "Site Protégé" in 1984 and more recently, in 1992, Monument Historique. Which mean the site is now protected and part of the French patrimony.

The Garden obviously changed dramatically since 1593, but you can still see the oldest part untouched. Over the centuries a glasshouse was added, a planetarium (nothing too fancy here, it is very old but very charming and still working!), an English Garden, a giant pound for Lotus… the Botanical Garden more than double its superficies. It has now 4.6 ha and 3450 differents species of plants and trees!
It really worth having a look, it is a very peaceful place in the heart of historical Montpellier and the best time of the month to visit is May or June.

Not a lot of tourist know this place because it is far from all shops and café (they are not that far however, everything is at walking distance and I would say the Garden is about 20 minutes walks from Place de La Comedie) but when you visit the medieval quarters of Montpellier, I hope you will think about this place too! And why not bringing a little picnic with you? The Cathedral St Pierre is just 5 minutes away as well as the University of Medicine, both a must see!