Created in 1843, the Jardin Botanique de Tours invites you to discover over 150 species of remarkable trees and exceptional botanical collections on a 6-hectare site. We loved strolling through this green setting in the heart of the city, between tropical greenhouses and shady alleys.
In this article, you'll find our photos and tips for making the most of your visit to the Jardin Botanique de Tours.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Why visit the Jardin Botanique de Tours?
Is the Botanical Gardens worth it? Our review
If you have a little time to spare in Tours, the Jardin Botanique is well worth a visit. We particularly appreciated the diversity of the botanical collections and the soothing atmosphere. We found the garden to be remarkably well maintained and well thought out for all publics.
Why is the Jardin Botanique de Tours famous?
The Jardin Botanique de Tours is renowned for a number of reasons.
Since 2000, it has been accredited as a "Jardin Botanique de France et des Pays Francophones", official recognition of its scientific value. Its organization, unique in France since 1945, is based on collaboration between the City of Tours, which provides technical management, and the University, which coordinates scientific research. The garden is home to exceptional plant collections, with over 150 remarkable tree genera and species.
Our favorite
We were fascinated by the discovery of the Ginkgo biloba, planted in 1843, and particularly impressed by its impressive size (23m high).
At 7m in circumference, this tree is one of the largest in Europe, which is why it was classified as a remarkable tree in 2011. It's known as the "40 écus tree" because, at the time, it was rare and expensive to introduce this type of species to France.
History in brief
The history of the Botanical Garden began in 1841 with the creation of a preparatory school of medicine and pharmacy, which required a garden for teaching purposes. Pharmacist Jean-Anthyme Margueron seized the opportunity presented by the reclamation of the former marshes through which the ruisseau Sainte-Anne flows to make his project a reality. Between 1843 and 1844, the garden came to life on these transformed wetlands. As early as 1869, Mr. Barnsby, then Director, enriched the site by introducing exotic animals that would give the garden its playful and educational dimension.
Over the decades, the garden has been adorned with beautiful buildings: the polygonal-roofed fallow deer pavilion erected in 1909, the aviary pavilion dating from 1866, as well as the former orangery and the large greenhouse with its orderly facade. In 1983, the northern botanical section was completely redeveloped. The garden is gradually being enriched with remarkable collections, including peonies from Luo-Yang, a Chinese town twinned with Tours. In 2009, the "Biodivers" greenhouses complete the offer with their endangered South African plants and tropical vegetation. The northern extension has more recently introduced Asian and North American species, continuing the constant enrichment of this plant heritage.
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An exceptional botanical heritage
Located on 5.9 hectares in the heart of Tours, the Jardin Botanique invites you to discover over 150 genera and species of trees in its remarkable arboretum. As soon as you enter, you'll be impressed by the majestic Ginkgo biloba planted in 1843. As you stroll through the alleys, you'll admire exceptional specimens such as evergreen redwoods, bald cypresses and the magnificent central avenue of Magnolia grandiflora. We were amazed by the wealth of scientific botanical collections, harmoniously set alongside animal play areas.
A refreshing place to stroll
Laid out on a former wetland through which the Sainte-Anne stream once flowed, the garden has retained its natural freshness. The various ponds and the river that meanders through the flowerbeds create a soothing atmosphere, while the long avenues shaded by century-old trees offer a pleasant stroll in all seasons. Enjoy a succession of spectacular blooms: magnolias and rhododendrons in spring, Indian lilacs in summer...
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- Choose a fairly compact car (many villages have narrowed the road).
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- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
A fascinating educational tour
But there's more to the Botanical Gardens than just a stroll! Several themed areas help you understand the evolution of the plant world. The Garden of Evolution, a veritable open book on the history of plants, chronologically traces their appearance on Earth, from the first cyanobacteria (4 billion years ago) to flowering plants. The Medicinal Plants Garden presents plants according to their therapeutic properties.
The Biodivers greenhouses take you on a trip around the world with their three themes: utilitarian tropical plants, endangered flora of South Africa and plants of tropical undergrowth. We appreciated the diversity of these educational areas, which greatly enriched the visit.
A wildlife park for young and old
Children will be delighted to discover kangaroos, ostriches, parakeets, parrots and even turtles (have fun finding them in summer, but they're sometimes well hidden). A donkey, an Asian pig, sheep, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, chickens and roosters all live together on the small farm. Admire the pink flamingos that share the river with the ducks. We loved this playful dimension, which added a touch of exoticism and life to the botanical trail.
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Access and map: Jardin Botanique de Tours
Where is the Jardin Botanique de Tours?
The Jardin Botanique is located at 33 boulevard Tonnelé, in the city of Tours, in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France.
- Driving time from Paris: 2h30
- Driving time from Orléans: 1h30
How to get there
By public transport, several bus lines serve the garden from downtown Tours. You can also reach the site by bike, thanks to the city's cycle paths. By car, the journey from the city center takes just 12 minutes.
Parking
There's no dedicated parking lot, but you'll find parking spaces in the surrounding streets.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars - one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a fairly compact car (many villages have narrowed the road).
- Think aboutfull insurance (parking in big cities is really tight).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating...
Best time to visit
The Botanical Garden is a pleasant place to visit all year round, with each season offering its own special features. We particularly recommend spring (April-May) to admire the spectacular magnolia and rhododendron blooms.
Choose weekday mornings to avoid weekend crowds and enjoy the calm of the garden.
Length of visit and main difficulties
Allow 1 to 2 hours for a complete tour of the Botanical Garden, taking time to explore the various themed areas and greenhouses. The garden covers almost 6 hectares, with mainly flat, well-kept paths.
We recommend you wear comfortable shoes to enjoy the walk to the full.
Advice on how to visit
For the best possible visit, we suggest you start at the arboretum, admiring the historic Ginkgo biloba as you enter. Continue along the central avenue lined with Magnolia grandiflora to the Jardin de l'Évolution.
Then explore the Garden of Medicinal Plants before heading to the Biodivers greenhouses, where tropical immersion awaits you. End your visit with a stroll along the ponds and river to enjoy the fresh air and observe the exotic animals. This tour alternates scientific discoveries with moments of relaxation, following a logical progression through space.
Visiting with children
The Botanical Garden is an ideal family outing. Your children will particularly appreciate the presence of exotic animals: Chilean flamingos, wallabies and parrots, or simply the henhouse. A playground is also available.
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Schedules and rates
The Jardin Botanique de Tours is open all year round, mainly between 8am and 5pm.
Note that the greenhouses are open between 2pm and 5pm.
Admission to the entire garden is free.
Visit the official website for more info here.
Guided tours
The Botanical Garden regularly offers themed guided tours to deepen your botanical knowledge. These guided tours explain the history of the garden, its remarkable collections and the scientific work carried out on site. Audioguides are available in several languages for self-guided tours, with detailed information on the main collections. We highly recommend the guided tours to take full advantage of the expertise of the botanists and gardeners, who reveal fascinating anecdotes about the remarkable specimens.
Catering
When the weather's fine, a small kiosk called "Au rendez-vous du botanique" offers sweet treats to eat in or take away. You can also bring your own picnic and take advantage of the garden's green spaces and benches for a pleasant lunch. Alternatively, read our article on the best addresses in Tours.
DISCOVER Tours
- Things to do in Tours
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- Where to eat in Tours: best restaurants - coming soon
- Rent a car in Tours
- Best castles around Tours
- Visit the Tours Museum of Fine Arts - coming soon
- Visit the Basilica of Saint Martin in Tours - coming soon
- Visit the Botanical Garden of Tours - coming soon
- Visit Saint-Gatien Cathedral
- Visit the Companionship Museum - coming soon
Frequently asked questions
Can we picnic in the Botanical Gardens?
Yes, you can bring your own picnic and enjoy lunch in the garden's green spaces. A few benches have been installed along the paths and in shady areas. We simply ask you to respect the cleanliness of the area and not to pick the plants.
Is the Botanical Gardens wheelchair-accessible?
Yes, most of the Botanical Garden is accessible to people with reduced mobility. The main aisles are wide, flat and well-maintained. Only a few secondary areas have slight gradients that may require assistance.
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