Jardin botanique E.M. Heckel, Botanical garden in Parc Borély, Marseille, France.

Jardin botanique E.M. Heckel occupies 12,000 m² at the eastern end of Parc Borély, between the rose garden and the château. Its roughly 3,000 to 3,500 species are grouped into nine themed gardens, among them a palmetum of some sixty palms on a sandy islet, a Chinese garden given by Shanghai in 2004, and a Japanese garden opened in 2011. Two 19th-century buildings stand on the site: the Villa Rose and the tropical greenhouse of 1870, an iron-and-glass structure inspired by Baltard's pavilions.

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.

The garden is named after Édouard Marie Heckel, the Marseille physician and botanist who directed it. Its Chinese garden, a gift from Shanghai in 2004, marks the twinning of the two cities and centres on a koi pond. The Japanese garden, opened in 2011, celebrates 50 years of twinning with Kobe and hosts an autumn festival each October with the Japanese consulate.

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.

The South African plants in the greenhouse flower during the European winter, following their original cycle because that season is summer in the southern hemisphere. The collection holds more than 300 species, and the plants are adapted to the Mediterranean climate.