Conservatoire botanique national de Mascarin, Botanical conservatory in Saint-Leu, Réunion, France.
The Conservatoire botanique national de Mascarin is a plant collection facility on a slope of Reunion Island focused on preserving and protecting local vegetation. The site spans several hectares and displays a broad range of ferns, flowering plants, and other species native to the island and region.
The facility was founded in the 1980s and received national status as a botanical conservatory a few years later. This recognition made it an important center for scientific work and education about the island's plant life.
The name Mascarin comes from a historical family group in the region. Visitors can see how the gardens display plants from different climate zones side by side, showing how closely the island's plants connect to its geography.
Visiting works best during daytime when plants and walking paths are clearly visible. It helps to wear comfortable shoes since the grounds are hilly and some paths have slopes.
One area of the grounds was used as a filming location for a well-known television series and features different garden landscapes. This experience may surprise visitors as it differs from typical tourism offerings.
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