Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Botanical Garden of Bordeaux came into being in 1629 under the name of " Jardin des plants", a medieval hortus medicus dedicated to medicinal and aromatic plants. This simple garden, typical of the period, experienced several moves before settling in rue du Jardin des Plantes in 1750. Its role evolved in the 18th century with the rise of the port of Bordeaux: it became a centre of acclimation for tropical plants reported by colonial navigators and doctors, reflecting the city's maritime exchanges.

In 1856, the garden settled in the public park of Bordeaux, benefiting from large greenhouses destroyed in 1931. A major overhaul took place in 2001 with its re-establishment on the right bank of the Garonne, a first in France for 25 years. This new site, awarded for its ecological approach (Rosa Barba Prize in 2003, MoMA exhibition in 2005), combines botanical conservation, pedagogy and sustainable development. Its infrastructure incorporates green technologies: water recovery, solar panels, and recycled materials.

The garden is divided into two distinct spaces: a historical garden (0.5 hectares) organizing the plants by phylogenetic families, highlighting the indigenous medicinal species and tropical collections inherited from Bordeaux colonial history; and an innovative garden designed by Catherine Mosbach, Françoise-Hélène Jourda and Raymond Sarti. The latter, which extends over 600 metres, explores themes such as aquatic environments, the landscapes of the Aquitaine Basin, or urban cultures, through scenographic and ecological installations.

Among its missions, the garden informs about biodiversity and international regulations (CITES, Habitat Directive), preserves plant species through conservation programmes and seed exchanges (Index seminum). He also plays a scientific role with botanical research, a herbarium, and a specialized library. Its commitment to sustainable development translates into resource-efficient management ( ancestral irrigation, sober plants) and HQE-labelled infrastructure.

A memorial component was added in 2019 with the Garden of Memory, dedicated to plants linked to colonial slavery. There are cultivated species such as cotton or cassava, symbolizing both the economic exploitation of colonies and the survival of slaves. This project illustrates the historical heritage of Bordeaux, a major slave port, while stressing the adaptation of crops to a temperate climate.

The Botanical Garden collaborates with international networks (IUCN, BGCI) and welcomes a varied audience through educational tools: children's workshops, exhibitions, and a botanical city of greenhouses, conference rooms and a restaurant. Its model combines landscape innovation, scientific rigour and environmental awareness, making it a key player in the preservation of plant heritage in New Aquitaine.

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