Jardin botanique E.M. Heckel

Jardin botanique E.M. Heckel is a botanical garden in Parc Borély that spans about 1.2 hectares and holds around 3,500 plant species. These species are divided into nine sections, including medicinal plants, Mediterranean flora, palm collections, and Chinese and Japanese garden areas.

The garden began with a foundation by King René near Saint-Victor Abbey before moving to its present location within the park in 1913. It was named after Dr. Édouard Marie Heckel, who served as director for many years and shaped the place.

This place takes its name from a longtime director and blends European traditions with gifts from other continents. Visitors find sections that originated from Shanghai and Japan, showing how botanical gardens connect different cultures.

The garden is located on Avenue Clot Bey and opens to visitors Tuesday through Sunday, with guided tours available to help explore the plant collection. It is best to wear comfortable shoes and allow time for wandering through the different sections, especially if you want to see the specialized collection of South African species.

A specialized greenhouse holds around 300 South African plant species, representing one of France's largest collections of this kind. This assembly shows a botanical range that is rarely found in such concentration elsewhere in the region.