Jardin des Plantes de Lille

Jardin des Plantes de Lille is a botanical garden spread across 11 hectares with more than 1,500 plant species arranged by botanical family and featuring dedicated rose sections. A 1970 tropical greenhouse houses over 12,000 plants including bananas and coffee trees, alongside a large pond and a 1952 orangery building.

Founded in 1948, this botanical garden continues a tradition of city gardens that dates back to 1596. This long history shaped the scientific and educational mission that remains central today.

The garden serves as a place where visitors encounter plant species organized by region, making it easy to understand how different ecosystems work together. The layout encourages people to explore and learn about plants from across the globe in one visit.

The garden is open daily with free admission for all visitors to explore the grounds and collections. With rest areas, pathways through the tropical greenhouse, and sections around the large pond, visitors can spend a full day walking and discovering at their own pace.

The grounds also house an astronomical observatory, adding a scientific focus beyond plants and botany. This pairing of garden and astronomy creates an unexpected combination for different types of exploration.