Jardins de Valloires, Botanical garden in Argoules, France
Jardins de Valloires is a botanical garden nestled at the base of a Cistercian Abbey that houses thousands of different plant species and rare shrubs across its grounds. The garden organizes these plants into distinct areas designed to showcase different types and uses.
The garden began in the early 1980s when a gardener gathered a plant collection from East Asia and North America at this location. This initial gathering became the foundation for what would grow into a major botanical site.
The gardens are divided into specialized areas including a medicinal garden, a rose garden, and a vegetable garden that show how plants have been valued in French country life. These sections reflect how people have traditionally grown and used plants for healing, beauty, and food.
The gardens are open during the warmer months and feature clear pathways throughout the grounds. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, and visitors should allow time to explore the different plant collections at a leisurely pace.
One section displays the evolutionary journey of plant life arranged chronologically over an enormous timespan. This type of presentation is the first of its kind in France and helps visitors understand how plants have changed over millions of years.
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