You could walk through the Jardin des Plantes dozens of times without ever stumbling upon it. The Alpine Garden is one of the 5th arrondissement’s best-kept secrets. Hidden from view along the main paths, it nestles in a lower part of the park, between the Grandes Serres and the Ménagerie, out of sight.
The history of the Alpine Garden dates back to the 17th century, when the first “garden of mountain plants” was created within the Royal Garden. The current space, however, took shape in the 1930s. At that time, botanists envisioned a garden capable of hosting species that sometimes grow at altitudes of several thousand meters.
A lush green oasis home to 2,000 species
Today, more than 2,000 species are cultivated there . The garden features plants from the Alps, the Pyrenees, Japan, Morocco, the Caucasus, the Rockies, and even the Himalayas. Some grow naturally in peat bogs, others on cliffs or among rocky scree.
Bringing together these plants from such diverse environments presents a real challenge. To achieve this, the gardeners at the National Museum of Natural History have created a whole series of microclimates. The garden is situated about three meters below the paths of the Jardin des Plantes, a layout that protects it from the wind, limits extreme heat in summer, and retains more moisture. Depending on the rock garden’s layout, some plants benefit from a sunny slope, while others enjoy the cooler conditions of a north-facing slope.
Beyond its beauty, the site remains first and foremost a scientific space where botanists observe, preserve, and study species that are sometimes rare or endangered. Among its inhabitants is a historic pistachio tree, which botanist Sébastien Vaillant used in the early 18th century to demonstrate the sexual reproduction of plants.
Unlike the large lawns of the Jardin des Plantes, the Alpine Garden retains a surprisingly calm atmosphere . Many visitors are unaware of its existence or walk right past its entrance without noticing it. As a result, even when the park is very crowded, this small valley often remains much more peaceful.
In a city where people often think they know all the green spaces, the Alpine Garden serves as a reminder that there are still a few hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
Alpine Garden at the Jardin des Plantes – 57, rue Cuvier, 75005
