In 1990, the begonia collection of the municipal nursery had fewer than ten taxa. But it grew through exchanges with botanical gardens such as Rouen and Caen, then Auteuil, Rochefort and Lyon. By 1999 there were 130 taxa, displayed in a small 80 m² greenhouse. In 2008, the move to a new site called “les jardins suspendus” (the hanging gardens) made it possible to enlarge the collection and double the display area.
Set on the heights of Le Havre, the hanging gardens were created on the remains of an old military fort built in 1856. They feature many plants spread over four separate gardens, each with its own theme, as well as collections of tropical plants in 5,000 m² of greenhouses.
Today the collection has reached 300 taxa and is focusing on American botanical species.
Informations pratiques
Les jardins suspendus – rue du fort – 76600 Le Havre
Free admission to the gardens, and €1 for the greenhouses.
The gardens are open every day of the year, with opening hours varying by season. The greenhouses are open at weekends in winter and every day in summer.
