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Jardins Remarquables de Menton, Riviera & Merveilles: a treasure trove of plants to discover

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Discovering botanical gardens de Menton, Riviera & Merveilles

In Menton, between the azure sea and the mountains, gardens are more than just patches of greenery: they are veritable botanical journeys. Thanks to an almosttropical climate, the town is home to rare species, botanical collections from all over the world, and exotic plants that flourish to perfection.

From the Val Rahmeh garden to the Serre de la Madone, via the citrus garden at the Palais de Carnolès, each park has its own style, history… and secrets. Here, nature blends with science and art, for visits full of surprises. And no, there’s more to Menton than citrus fruits!

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    A Mediterranean jungle under control

    the Serre de la Madone garden

    Perched on the heights of Menton, the Serre de la Madone looks like a little corner of a secret jungle, organised in terraces on the hillside. It’s the fruit of a mad passion: that of Major Lawrence Johnston, who after devising the famous garden at Hidcote in England, came here to play the adventurous botanist, testing plants from Africa, Asia and South America.

    At the turn of a mossy staircase, a pond or an old stone wall, you come across some astonishing species: tree ferns, South African Leucadendrons, mahonias with graphic foliage… All in a setting that is both learned and wild, where the hand of man fades just enough to suggest that nature invented everything all by itself.

    Today, the garden is being reborn under the watchful eye of the Conservatoire du littoral. People come here to breathe, dream and sometimes… To be amazed. Because here, even the plants have more than one trick up their sleeves.

      The Palais Carnolès:

      A diplomatic orchard turned public garden

      The Palais Carnolès is something of a citrus kingdom in Menton, Riviera & Merveilles!

      Originally, this garden was a private collection of royal citrus fruits, patiently built up by enlightened enthusiasts. Today, it’s a public garden, where you can wander freely between more than one hundred and thirty varieties from the four corners of the world.

      Rare lemon trees, delicately scented yuzu, giant citrons or combava with powerful aromas… You sometimes feel as if you’re travelling through a market in Asia or South America, such is the amazing array of fruit.

      Each tree is a stopover, and each fruit an invitation to a change of scenery!

      But there’s more to Menton than its citrus fruits, even if this garden is its beating heart. Everywhere in the town, the wealth of plant life is expressed in a thousand forms, far beyond the lemon!

      Fruity anecdote:

      The citron, with its thick, highly fragrant skin, isn’t always meant to be crunched like a classic fruit.

      In the old days, its zests were dried to perfume clothes and wardrobes – a 100% natural air freshener, long before sprays! A little piece of Menton to take home with you, without even touching the tree.

      Jardin Dagrumes Du Palais De Carnoles Menton LesconteursJardin Dagrumes Du Palais De Carnoles Menton Lesconteurs
      ©Jardin Dagrumes Du Palais De Carnoles Menton Lesconteurs
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        ©Jardin Botanique Val Rahmeh Menton Pango Visual

          Val Rahmeh Botanical Garden:

          the garden-world

          Once the property of a wealthy English family, Val Rahmeh has been transformed into an outstanding tropical botanical garden. Here you enter a veritable plant world where exotic plants from South America, Asia, Africa and the Pacific mingle. A truly colourful and mysterious jungle, perfectly suited to Menton’s mild climate.

          📌 Please note:

          The management of the Val Rahmeh botanical garden has been entrusted to the Museum of Natural History in Paris!

          Jardin Val Rahmeh Et Ses FleursJardin Val Rahmeh Et Ses Fleurs
          ©Jardin Val Rahmeh Et Ses Fleurs

            You’ll also love escaping here…

            Envy to continue your discovery of the gardens and parks of Menton, Riviera & Merveilles? We’ve got other ideas for continuing to explore the Côte d’Azur’s natural jewels.

            🐭 The Mickey Mouse plant

            The small, shiny black fruits topped with bright red are a striking resemblance to the head of the famous cartoon mouse… A wink of nature that amuses as much as it fascinates!

            🌱 The Belladonna plant

            Val Rahmeh is also home to medicinal plants, toxic species, and even magical plants. Among them, Belladonna holds a special place in the heart of Christophe Canlers (ethnobotanist and lecturer-guide for the management of the exceptional gardens of Menton):

            “Elegant Italian ladies had already picked up on the fact that taking the berries of Belladonna and expressing themselves in the eyes increased the size of the pupil and thus increased the intensity of the gaze.”

            <1F33F↩ Giant Aristolochia, a plant trap

            With its oversized wine-red flowers veined with cream, Aristolochia gigantea is anything but shy. This tropical vine from Central America can climb up to 10 metres, and its heart-shaped foliage is as dense as it is decorative. But the most astonishing thing about it is its seduction technique: attracted by its musky scent, insects crawl into the flower and become trapped there while it pollinates. Once the job is done, the plant releases its pollen-laden visitor and reveals its next floral trap. A botanical trick that’s as impressive as it is fearsome!

            Meet Christophe Canlers in the Val Rahmeh GardenMeet Christophe Canlers in the Val Rahmeh Garden
            ©Meet Christophe Canlers in the Val Rahmeh Garden

              Christophe Canlers, passionate ethnobotanist and plant storyteller in Menton:

              Follow the guide

              Christophe Canlers is something of a perfect blend of inquisitive naturalist and passionate storyteller. For him, botany is not just a science, it’s an adventure full of stories to tell.

              When he guides visitors, he doesn’t just show off the leaves and flowers of Menton, Riviera & Merveilles: he reveals the mysterious origins of the plants, their surprising uses, and above all their little natural tricks for survival.

              With Christophe, the visit becomes a lively show, where science rhymes with poetry, curiosity and always humour. His approach makes discovering the gardens of Menton as exciting as it is accessible, and often great fun. So what are you waiting for?

              Menton Botanical Garden :

              frequently asked questions
              • Where is Menton, Riviera & Merveilles located?

                Our destination is in the south-east of France, in the Alpes-Maritimes department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region.

              • Can I take part in a guided tour of the gardens at Menton, Riviera & Merveilles?

                It’s entirely possible to enjoy a garden tour in Menton, Riviera & Merveilles! In fact, it’s the best way to find out more about the different species in the region.

                → Book your garden tour in Menton, Riviera & Merveilles!

              • What are the different exceptional or remarkable gardens in Menton, Riviera & Merveilles?

                Thanks to the mild climate, many tropical and subtropical species flourish in the region. Come and discover them on a guided tour of our remarkable gardens and exceptional gardens:

                • The garden at the former Palace Hôtel Impérial
                • The Fontana Rosa garden
                • The citrus garden at the Palais de Carnolès
                • The Serre de la Madone garden (Label remarkable garden)
                  3 national collections: Araliaceae – Pittosporaceae – Proteaceae
                • The Val Rahmeh botanical garden
                • The Maria Serena garden
                • The Citronneraie© garden (Outstanding garden label)
                • The Les Colombières garden
                • The Waterfield garden at Clos du Peyronnet
                  1 national iridaceae collection of bulbs from South Africa
              • In which gardens can you see citrus fruits in Menton, Riviera & Merveilles?

                Lemon or citrus trees from all over the world, Menton, Riviera & Merveilles is a paradise for a multitude of species that flourish all year round. To visit:

                • The Ancien Palace: Grand Hôtel de Venise – L’Orangeraie
                • The citrus garden at the Palais de Carnolès
                • The Citronneraie© garden (Label jardin remarquable)

                Access to the Roya Valley –>

              • Are there any remarkable trees in Menton, Riviera & Merveilles?

                The area is home to many remarkable trees: thousand-year-old olive trees with monumental trunks, araucarias over 25 metres high, majestic cedars and golden ginkgos. Some are rare, coming from Australia or Asia, and bear witness to the unique botanical wealth of this region between sea and mountains.

              • When is the best time to visit the gardens of Menton?

                The best time to visit Menton’s gardens is in spring and autumn, when the climate is mild and the plants are in full bloom or colourful. Summer can be hot, but the gardens remain pleasant in the shade. Winter, which is mild in Menton, also makes for a quiet visit.

              More stories to follow!