National Alpine Botanical Conservatory, Botanical conservatory in Gap, Hautes-Alpes, France.

The National Alpine Botanical Conservatory occupies the old stables of the Domaine de Charance, about 4 km northwest of Gap. Its small garden has greenhouses like the long pitched glasshouse in the photograph, with planting beds and staked plants inside, plus an herbarium of about 100,000 specimens.

The conservatory began in 1988 as a prefiguration association created by the city of Gap, the Hautes-Alpes general council and the Port-Cros and Écrins national parks. It became a mixed syndicate in 1991 and received national accreditation in 1993 for six departments, with Ain added in 1999. It is housed in the old stables of the Domaine de Charance.

This place serves as a research hub where scientists study how plants adapt to mountain conditions. Visitors can participate in educational programs and learn about ongoing efforts to protect alpine plant species.

The location is situated northwest of Gap and can be reached by public transport or car. Plan time to explore the exhibitions and review the available documentation about mountain plant species.

The seed bank preserves genetic material from rare mountain plants to ensure the survival of endangered species. This allows scientists to protect threatened alpine plants and potentially restore them in the future.