The Alpine Garden, nestled within the Jardin des Plantes since the 1930s, is a 4,000 m² alpinum listed as a historic monument. Created by botanist André Guillaumin, it sits in a sheltered natural hollow, reached via a discreet underground passage from the Botanical School, between the Great Greenhouses and the Menagerie.

It offers a meticulous reconstruction of mountainous habitats – dry slopes, peat bogs, rockeries – showcasing nearly 2,000 plant species from the Alps, Pyrenees, Himalayas, Balkans, Caucasus, and Cévennes. A highlight is the 300‑year‑old pistachio tree, planted around 1700, under which botanist Sébastien Vaillant illustrated plant sexuality in the 18th century.

The atmosphere is hushed and meditative: the gentle babble of a stream, stepping stones among the beds, and subtle bird songs provide a serene escape from urban hustle. Despite its compact size, the garden encourages respectful discovery: a 14‑stage trail reveals saxifrages, Balkan yarrow, cushion plants, junipers, carnivorous species… ideal for nature lovers of all ages.

Intended audience: botany enthusiasts, families, urban dwellers seeking calm, photographers, science students. Anecdote: grass is cut manually with a silent reel mower for a dense lawn without mechanical noise.

Practical info: Open daily from March 1 until late autumn, hours vary by season (typically 7:30 AM–8 PM in summer, 8 AM–5:30 PM in winter). Free access, no entry fee.