Top gardens

on the Côte d'Azur

Itching to get out in this lovely sunny weather? We have good news for you, you don’t have to go far! On the Côte-d’Azur, some of the “Jardins Remarquables” of the Région Sud will take you off to not too far away countries. On high-up walks or paths through the trees, you’ll be amazed by these natural beauties!

Le Jardin des Méditerranée

Open the doors of the Domaine du Rayol and you’ll come face to face with L’Hôtel de la Mer. Set on the banks of the Mediterranean, this lush multi-faceted garden invites you on a journey. A real planetary index of regions of the world which are biologically similar and nevertheless very remote from each other, this protected natural area of 20 ha takes you off to the four corners of the world. Tropical, forest, marine, exotic, Mediterranean … here is a summary of the wonders you’ll see on your visit. A temple to vegetation, the flowers, plants and shrubs have found the ideal place here to let their beauty unfurl. Discover this garden and put on your botanist’s hat for a moment – feel the emotions of a real explorer. The place is designed as an area for living in and you can have lunch in the Café des Jardiniers, browse through one of the 3,000 books in the Librairie des Jardiniers and search for seeds in the Pépinière du Domaine du Rayol, a real must!

Le Jardin Castel Sainte-Claire

It’s on the heights of Hyères that you’ll scour the Jardins du Castel Sainte-Claire. This history-packed venue was built in 1848 before becoming the winter residence of author Edith Wharton: she instigated the landscape garden of the Castel which is now listed as a “Jardin Remarquable“. The name Castel is appropriate and the little fortress-like building has been home since 1990 to the headquarters of Port-Cros National Park. This natural bubble perched on the heights of Vieux-Hyères has an incredible view of the peninsula, the bay and the Îles d’Or. A little path links the Jardin Castel Sainte-Claire and the Parc Saint-Bernard. Take your time wandering around these terraced gardens which offer various viewpoints over the Cité des Palmiers. Lose yourself in the haven of peace with its exotic and Mediterranean trees and don’t forget to visit the Villa Noailles just a few metres away.

Le Jardin Exotique d’Eze

Set up on the site of a former medieval fortress, the Jardin Exotique d’Eze has a bird’s eye view of the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean. Perched 429 metres above the sea, you’ll be able to see from the Monts de l’Esterel to the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Divided into two large zones, the Southern slope is home to species from desert regions whereas the northern slope, shadier and more humid, takes you to a more Mediterranean world. Take a break on the terrace and sunbathe in one of deck-chairs dotted along the promenade as soon as the first rays of the sun hit the garden. Don’t miss the magnificent cacti and succulents which will be in your photos with the Mediterranean as their backdrop. And for those of you who adore “Wow” panoramas don’t forget your cameras to capture memories of your time in this haven of peace.

The 9 Gardens of the Villa Ephrusi de Rothshild

The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild gardens is a place you absolutely must not miss if you’re going to the Côte d’Azur, they’ll sweep you off to an atmosphere in a perfect blend of romance and history. Between Nice and Monaco, the majestic pink Rococo-style villa stands proud in its tree-filled grounds with one of the most beautiful views of Cap Ferrat. 9 gardens for 9 different atmospheres! An “à la française” formal garden with water features – waterfalls and pools – for a real water ballet; a more intimate Spanish garden for the pleasure of smells when the first flowers bloom in March; a Florentine garden with a path lined with hundred-year-old cypresses which give it an air of Florence; a stone garden with a feeling of being in the woods; a Japanese garden for plenitude which is perfect for letting go; an exotic garden where huge cacti and succulents thrive side by side; a Provencal garden lined with wind-swept olive, mastic and pine trees; a rose garden with several varieties of old and hybrid roses to awaken your senses.