Caen Botanical Garden: A Green Escape in the City
Discover a tranquil escape in the heart of Caen with diverse plant collections, greenhouses, and serene landscapes in a historic botanical garden.
The Caen Botanical Garden, also known as Jardin des Plantes de Caen, offers a serene escape into nature within the bustling city. Its history dates back to 1736 when it was created as a university botanical garden to support the teaching of botany in medical and pharmaceutical studies. Over time, it transformed into a municipal park after the French Revolution in 1803. The garden is divided into two main sections. The lower section showcases a diverse collection of plants, including around 1,000 species of native Normandy flora, a medicinal garden with 600 plants, 700 varieties of horticultural collections, 1,500 dwarf rockery specimens, and an arboretum featuring 500 species of trees and shrubs. A greenhouse houses approximately 1,500 exotic species. The upper section serves as a public landscape park, inviting visitors to stroll and relax amidst remarkable trees like the Sophora japonica, Sequoiadendron giganteum, and Cryptomeria japonica. During World War II, the garden suffered significant damage, with greenhouses and a botanical institute being destroyed. However, the garden was revitalized with new greenhouses built in 1988. Today, the garden continues to serve an educational role, offering advice from gardening professionals and hosting workshops. The garden is committed to environmental issues, even offering ladybug and lacewing eggs to local gardeners in the spring to promote biological gardening. The garden is recognized as a Jardin Remarquable (Remarkable Garden).
Local tips
- Visit the greenhouses in the afternoon (1 PM - 5 PM) to explore the exotic plant collections.
- Take advantage of the free admission to explore the gardens.
- Pack a picnic to enjoy in the designated picnic areas or open green spaces.
- Check the garden's calendar for seasonal events and workshops.
A brief summary to Caen Botanical Garden
- Pl. Blot, Caen, 14000, FR
- +33231304838
Getting There
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Walking
From Caen city center, the Botanical Garden is approximately a kilometer away and easily accessible by foot. Head southeast towards Place Saint-Sauveur, then continue onto Rue Saint-Jean. Turn left onto Place Blot; the garden will be on your right. The walk is generally flat and takes about 15-20 minutes.
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Public Transport
The Twisto tram and bus network serves the Botanical Garden. From the Caen train station (Gare SNCF), take the tram towards Saint-Pierre. From Saint-Pierre, the garden is a short walk away. Alternatively, several bus lines stop near Place Blot. A single Twisto ticket costs €1.60 and is valid for one hour.
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Driving
If driving, navigate to Place Blot, 14000 Caen. Limited street parking is available near the garden, but it can be challenging to find. Several paid parking garages are located within a short walking distance, including INDIGO Gardin. Expect to pay around €2-3 per hour for parking.
