Olbius Riquier park

Name: Olbius Riquier park
Address: Avenue Ambroise ThomasCentre-ville, Hyères, 83400, FRANCE

Park and garden
Garden
Botanical garden
Remarkable garden

Avenue Ambroise Thomas, Centre-ville, 83400 Hyères

This traditional 19th century landscaped garden was Olbius Hippolyte Antoine Riquier’s gift to the town in 1868. It comprises of 17 acres of lawns, large trees, winding alleys and even a lake and a greenhouse designed for tropical plants and birds. A convention linking it to Paris’ Jardin d’Acclimatation defines the garden as a place to grow, create and study the adaptation of tropical species to the climate of the region. The garden plans were drawn in 1869 by landscape architects Pierre Barillet-Deschamps and Georges Aumont who also worked on many Parisian gardens. Many exotic species of palm trees, bamboos and succulents are found there, as are a small zoo and a playground for children.

The Olbius Riquier Park in Hyères is a magnificent pleasure garden. The quality of its exotic collections made it at the beginning the annex of the acclimatization garden of Paris.
An enchanting setting welcomes the walkers who walk under the trees, between the lawns and the flowers. And for the children, the various attractions make it a small paradise.

At the end of the 19th century, the park became an annex of the Jardin d'Acclimatation in Paris, in order to study tropical species likely to adapt to the Var climate. Today, the species planted at that time flourish here: palms, bamboos, agaves and cacti. In one corner of the generous botanical garden, a greenhouse houses exotic plants and birds. Owned by the town of Hyères, admission is free. Young and old alike enjoy strolling through the garden not only for its lush vegetation, but also for the various attractions on offer: pony rides, a merry-go-round and the famous little train.