Jardin des Plantes, Montpellier

Montpellier's Jardin des Plantes is a 4.5 hectare (11 acre) botanical garden and arboretum maintained by the University of Montpellier and open (with free admission) most afternoons.  The garden was established in 1493 by King Henry IV and is France's oldest botanical garden, serving as a model for the Jardin des Plantes in Paris (1626).  The garden contains about 2,680 plant species, including 500 native to the Mediterranean region.  Roughly 2,000 of the species are grown outdoors and the remaining in green houses.

Entrance to Jardin des Plantes

The gardens are located next to Promenade de Peyrou and we stroll over, enter, and wander along the paths.

Strolling the paths

Entering one small courtyard, we encounter stacks of bee hives.  We don't wander much further in that direction.

Bee hives

Entering a small greenhouse, we find it has been turned into an impromptu art exhibit, with vibrant colors matching the beauty in the outside gardens.

Art exhibit

The main greenhouse if closed for renovation, but we peer in the windows at the cactus and other desert plants inside.

Peering in

Continuing our exploration, we wander down more paths on the other side of the greenhouse, with new discoveries around every corner.

Continuing to wander

The Jardin des Plantes has been a great tranquil experience in the city.