Jardin botanique exotique de Menton, Botanical garden in Menton, France
The Exotic Botanical Garden of Menton is a garden on the French Riviera showcasing plants from diverse climates around the world. The grounds feature terraced beds arranged around an Italian-Provençal villa with ochre walls, creating distinct botanical zones for visitors to explore.
A former British governor acquired the estate in 1905 and began developing it into a botanical collection of rare plants. Adjacent farmland was added over time, transforming the property into an important horticultural site on the French Riviera.
The garden serves as a gathering place where locals and visitors alike appreciate the diversity of plants from distant regions alongside Mediterranean varieties. Its mix of tropical and native species reflects how this coastal town embraces both exotic influences and its own natural heritage.
The garden is easy to reach on foot and offers plenty of paths for walking through different plant zones. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since the pathways are arranged on terraces with steps throughout.
The garden holds some of the last remaining specimens of Sophora toromiro, a tree species originally from Easter Island. These rare trees thrive here thanks to the mild microclimate of the region, which protects them from extreme cold.
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