Conservatoire du Bégonia

The Conservatoire du Bégonia is a botanical collection in Rochefort focused entirely on begonias, housing several hundred varieties and species under glass. The plants come from tropical forests and mountain regions, where they grow naturally in different climates.

This collection was founded in 1988 and honors botanist Charles Plumier, who discovered the plant during travels to the New World. The founding reflected a French commitment to botanical science and the study of newly discovered plant species.

The name comes from Michel Begon, a French colonial official whose name was given to the plant genus. You can see specimens from different climates displayed together, showing how these plants thrive in various parts of the world.

The greenhouses are open year-round and display plants in their natural environment with high humidity and controlled temperatures. The best time to visit is from March to May or September to October, when the collection is in full flower.

The collection grows through international expeditions and exchange programs with other botanical gardens, particularly in South America and Cameroon. This global network allows the garden to continuously acquire new varieties and maintain the genetic diversity of the plants.