Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Georges Delaselle Garden, formerly known as the colonial garden of Batz Island, is a subtropical acclimatization garden located at the southeast end of the island, near Roscoff (Finistery). Created between 1897 and 1937 by Georges Delaselle, a botanical enthusiast, it now houses 1,700 plant species from the five continents. The site has a particular microclimate, protected from winds by dunes and plant breezes, and preserves archaeological remains such as a bronze-age necropolis.

Georges Delaselle, a Parisian with tuberculosis, bought land on the island in 1897 to create a garden inspired by his travels and correspondence with botanists. Between 1903 and 1928, it transformed the sandy terrain into a subtropical oasis, planting palm trees, cactus and tree ferns. Its innovative methods, such as trenches to protect fragile plants, and its archaeological discoveries (a bronze necropolis) mark this period. The garden, sold in 1938, fell into disuse before being saved by volunteers from 1986 onwards.

From 1938 to 1956, the garden was maintained by industrialist Mr Nast, who added a cypress forest. Abandoned from 1957 to 1985, it was invaded by vegetation. From 1986, the association Les Amis du jardin Georges Delaselle and the Conservatoire du littoral undertook its rehabilitation, with the help of landscapers such as Gilles Clément. In 1997, the site became public property and regained its brilliance, obtaining the remarkable Garden label in 2006.

The garden covers 5 hectares, half of which is occupied by reconstructed ecosystems (palms, proteins, armed forces) and historical remains, such as a Christianized dolmen and the ruins of a medieval priory. Its microclimate, water management (historical wells and watering) and its role as a conservation of biodiversity make it a unique site. The visits, open from April to November, allow you to discover this botanical and archaeological heritage.

The distinctions obtained (Europa Nostra Prize 1999, Remarkable Garden 2006) underline its cultural importance. The garden also inspires literature, as in Pascal Garnier's Theory of Panda. Today managed by Haut-Léon Communauté, it combines scientific preservation with public access, perpetuating Georges Delaselle's visionary legacy.

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