Château de Charance, Historic villa and botanical garden in Gap, France.
Château de Charance is a historic villa with botanical gardens situated on an estate spanning 220 hectares (544 acres) that rises from 1000 to 1852 meters (3,280 to 6,073 feet) elevation. The grounds feature terraced gardens, a conservation center, and various structures scattered across meadows and forested slopes in the Hautes-Alpes region.
The estate was originally built as a fortress in the 10th century and later became a residence for the bishops of Gap after its purchase in 1309. Over the centuries, it evolved from a military structure into an episcopal dwelling and eventually into a botanical and conservation center.
The four garden levels showcase regional plant diversity through collections of holly, boxwood, daphne, and heritage roses that grow across the terraces.
The property is open from mid-April through October with free bus service connecting to Gap city center. Visitors should expect varied terrain and pathways at different elevations, allowing time to explore multiple areas and dressing appropriately for mountain weather conditions.
The grounds house a conservation center protecting around 1000 wild plant species and hundreds of heritage apple and pear varieties from traditional cultivation. This collection preserves fruit varieties that have grown in the region for generations and might otherwise disappear.
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