What to see in France

La Bambouseraie in the Cévennes: A Unique Botanical Garden

Located in Générargues, in the Gard region between Nîmes and Alès, La Bambouseraie in the Cévennes is one of the most remarkable botanical gardens in Europe. Ranked among the most beautiful gardens in France, it invites visitors to enjoy an exceptional plant immersion, where giant bamboo, remarkable trees, and exotic-inspired gardens come together to create a dreamlike landscape.

🌱 An Exceptional Botanical Garden

This estate extends over nearly 12 to 14 hectares of greenery and is home to more than 1,000 plant species, including numerous varieties of bamboo, as well as rare trees, exotic plants, and landscapes inspired by Asian traditions.

From the moment you enter, a majestic avenue of sequoias and towering bamboo sets the scene. You immediately feel transported out of time, as if stepping into a poetic jungle in the heart of the Cévennes.

Allée des Palmiers
Allée des Palmiers© La Bambourseraie

🎋 Must-See Highlights

🏡 The Laotian Village

Authentically recreated by a team of Laotian origin, this small village showcases traditional Laotian architecture and vegetation, featuring tropical plants such as banana trees and sugar cane. Visitors can discover stilt houses, natural materials, and genuine craftsmanship. This cultural immersion adds a human and exotic dimension to the visit — like traveling to Asia while staying in the Cévennes.

The Laotian Village
The Laotian Village© La Bambourseraie

💧 Eugène’s Water Garden

Un lieu de calme et de contemplation où miroirs d’eau, reliefs naturels et lignes paysagères se répondent avec élégance, offrant un espace parfait pour une pause méditative. Les reflets du ciel et des arbres dans l’eau créent une atmosphère presque poétique, propice à la détente. C’est un espace qui invite à ralentir et à savourer pleinement la beauté du paysage.

🌿The Bamboo Maze

A fascinating pathway through an impressive hedge of Japanese bamboo, symbolizing travel and discovery. As visitors wander through it, both children and adults rediscover the simple pleasure of getting lost in order to find their way again. It is a playful and immersive experience, ideal for families.

Labyrinthe
Labyrinthe© La Bambouseraie

🐉 The Dragon Valley

Inspired by the art of Japanese gardens, this area combines water, minerals, and vegetation in a serene harmony, highlighted by an elegant red pavilion. Every element is carefully designed to create a subtle balance between nature and architecture. The atmosphere is uniquely tranquil, inviting visitors to appreciate every landscape detail.

🌳 Aerial Walk

For a more dynamic experience, La Bambouseraie offers an elevated walk along suspended net pathways up to 8 meters high, accessible from age 6. This activity allows visitors to observe the vegetation from a completely new perspective and provides a unique sense of freedom, as if walking above the canopy.

Ballade aérienne
Ballade aérienne© La Bambouseraie

📅 Opening Period and Hours

La Bambouseraie is open from February 22 to November 9, seven days a week.

Opening hours vary by season:

  • February to March: 10 a.m. – 5/6 p.m.
  • April to June: 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • July – August: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • September: 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
  • October to early November: 10 a.m. – 5/6 p.m.

👉 Last admission is approximately 1 hour before closing time.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Practical Information

  • Recommended visit duration: around 2 hours minimum to fully enjoy all areas of the park.
  • Free parking for cars, motorcycles, and coaches.
  • Accessibility: the park is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility, with wheelchair loan (subject to availability) and adapted facilities.
  • On-site facilities: picnic area, shop, plant nursery, snack bar, and rest areas.
  • Pets are allowed if kept on a leash.
  • Jardin des bassins
    Jardin des bassins© Eugène Gard, La Bambouseraie

🍃 A Place Committed to Nature

La Bambouseraie is dedicated to biodiversity protection and reducing its environmental impact, using responsible cultivation methods, developing natural shelters for wildlife, and participating as an LPO (League for the Protection of Birds) refuge.

🌟 Why Visit La Bambouseraie in the Cévennes?

Visiting this unique garden is much more than simply seeing plants — it is a sensory and cultural journey. With its lush pathways, Zen spaces inspired by distant traditions, breathtaking plant panoramas, and family-friendly activities, La Bambouseraie offers a rich, immersive, and accessible nature experience for everyone.

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