Jardin Exotique de Monaco, Cliffside botanical garden in Monaco.
Jardin Exotique de Monaco is a botanical garden perched on Mediterranean cliffs, arranged in steep terraces that follow the natural slope. It houses one of the world's largest collections of desert succulents and cacti, with plants organized by geographical origin across the hillside.
Prince Albert I commissioned the garden's construction in 1912, with engineer Louis Notari overseeing the project on the steep cliffsides. The excavation work unexpectedly revealed a network of caves beneath the site, which contained signs of ancient human settlement in the region.
The Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology within the garden complex presents archaeological findings and human artifacts dating back to ancient settlements.
Wear sturdy shoes, as the pathways are steep and involve many stairs climbing up and down the hillside. The admission includes access to both the garden and the cave network below, so plan enough time to explore both areas without rushing.
The caves beneath the garden floor reveal evidence of early human habitation and house an on-site museum displaying archaeological artifacts and prehistoric tools. This underground discovery transforms the visit into an encounter with ancient history that predates the garden itself by thousands of years.
Location: Jardin Exotique
Inception: 1931
Architects: Louis Notari
Address: 62, Bd du Jardin Exotique 98000 Monaco
Opening Hours: November-January: 09:00-17:00; February-April,October: 09:00-18:00; May-September: 09:00-19:00; November 19,December 25 off
Phone: +37793152980
Email: jardin-exotique@mairie.mc
Website: https://jardin-exotique.mc
GPS coordinates: 43.73151,7.41378
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:04
France has a notable horticultural heritage expressed through gardens of various styles spread across the country. This collection includes historical creations like the Renaissance gardens of Villandry, urban parks such as the Parc de la Tête d'Or in Lyon with its 290 acres and four tropical greenhouses, as well as mountain gardens like the Jardin Alpin in Chamonix. Visitors also discover specialized sites, including the Val-de-Marne Rose Garden with 3,300 rose varieties organized by historical periods. These spaces exhibit considerable botanical diversity, from the Mediterranean collections at Domaine du Rayol on the Côte d'Azur to tropical plants at the Serres d'Auteuil in Paris. Some gardens like the Jardin des Plantes in Nantes host more than 10,000 species from different climates, while others focus on specific collections like magnolias and hydrangeas at the Gaston Allard Arboretum in Angers. These sites combine scientific interest, botanical conservation, and the pleasure of strolling, offering visitors the chance to explore the plant richness of the entire world within carefully arranged settings.
The main monuments and cultural sites of the Principality of Monaco, including the 13th-century Prince's Palace, the historic Casino de Monte-Carlo, the Oceanographic Museum and its aquariums, the Roman-Byzantine Cathedral, as well as botanical gardens, museums, and religious buildings. These sites reflect the architectural, cultural, and natural heritage of Monaco, from the marina to green spaces and sports institutions.
Prince's Palace of Monaco
523 m
Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate
729 m
Monaco Top Cars Collection
275 m
Chemin des Révoires
175 m
La Collection de Voitures de SAS le Prince de Monaco
748 m
Napoleon Museum
512 m
New National Museum of Monaco
144 m
Zoological Garden of Monaco
333 m
Courthouse of Monaco
697 m
Saint Nicholas Church
534 m
Museum of Stamps and Coins
314 m
Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology
56 m
Chapelle Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Monaco
465 m
Monte Carlo View
266 m
Église Saint-Martin de Monaco
328 m
Princess Grace Rose Garden
652 m
Building of the Council of State and Supreme Courts
669 m
La Condamine Market
479 m
New National Museum of Monaco
142 m
Le Simona
317 m
Juan Manuel Fangio Statue
720 m
L'Escorial
388 m
Les Ligures
450 m
Hommage des colonies étrangères au Prince Albert 1er à l'occasion de ses 25 années de règne
603 m
Terrasses de Fontvieille
296 m
Observatory Cave
16 m
Antoinist temple of Monaco
377 m
Fountain with Saint Nicolas
700 mReviews
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