Arboretum de l'Hort de Dieu

Arboretum de l'Hort de Dieu is a botanical garden on Mont Aigoual that displays roughly 75 tree species from North America, East Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. The collection sits at about 1,300 meters elevation and demonstrates how different tree types thrive in this harsh mountain setting.

The arboretum was established in 1902 by Georges Fabre and Charles Flahault to study how trees adapt to the extreme conditions of this high elevation. The project also arose from a desire to reduce overgrazing by sheep, which heavily impacted mountain vegetation at that time.

The name Hort de Dieu, meaning Garden of God, reflects the connection between spiritual traditions and the scientific work carried out at this location. Visitors experience a landscape that shows how nature and faith have long been intertwined in this mountain community.

The site is reached by a hiking path from the nearby Aigoual Observatory, which sits just adjacent to the grounds. Entry is free, and you can visit year-round, though the warmer months offer the most comfortable walking conditions.

Within the arboretum stands a beech tree called Chourradou, roughly 200 years old, which once sheltered sheep herders and shows the long history of connection between botany and local livelihoods. This tree bridges two worlds: scientific research and the traditional use of the land by mountain people.