Bambouseraie en Cévennes
La Bambouseraie en Cévennes botanical garden is the only one of its kind in Europe.
La Bambouseraie en Cévennes - lose yourself among gigantic bamboos !
This remarkable garden invites visitors to plunge into the heart of giant bamboos and other huge plants. In 1856, the renowned botanist, Eugène Mazel (the greenhouses in the garden still bear his name) began planting the garden and, benefitting from the microclimate in the area and water from the River Gardon, he acclimatized tropical species from Asia and North America.
After his death, Gaston Nègre bought the estate and continued Eugène Mazel’s project. It was not until 1953, with the second generation of the Nègre family, that the garden opened to the public and visitors discovered this unusual forest, or rather meadow, as bamboo is type of grass ! The garden often features in films, for example several scenes from « Salaire de la Peur (The Wages of Fear) » were shot here. Over time, new themed gardens have been created including a maze, aquatic garden, Laotian village and Dragon’s Valley.
The Bambouseraie has an unprecedented collection of bamboos, but also centuries old trees and amazing, funky plants. As you walk around the wide paths through the gardens, the moods created by the different plants provide some astonishing changes of scenery.
What to do around the Bambouseraie en Cévennes
There are numerous footpaths in the area around the Bambouseraie en Cévennes, as well as places to swim and several treetop adventure trails. While in Anduze, make sure you visit the potteries which make and sell the famous Anduze vases ! The Grotte de Trabuc cave has underground lakes and a curiosity which is unique in the world : the « 100 000 soldiers », (a carpet of concretions resembling small stalagmites). Further up the Gardon Valley at Saint-Jean-du-Gard, take time to go to the Maison Rouge, a museum devoted to the traditions and way of life in the valleys of the Cévennes in a wonderfully converted former textile mill.
In this museum, a special place is dedicated to the history of silkworm farming and silk mills, as well as the chestnut tree, which provided the locals with a staple food as well as being used for building and to make numerous tools. Some of the best places to swim on the River Gardon are in the area near the museum.
Come to La Bambouseraie en Cévennes by steam train !
Come to La Bambouseraie aboard a steam train ! The Train à Vapeur des Cévennes runs from Anduze to Saint-Jean-du-Gard, overlooking the River Gardon and across the great cliffs marking the « Gateway to the Cévennes ». Get off at La Bambouseraie halt (a 2-minute stop), then after your visit, continue your journey through the Gardon valleys to Saint-Jean-du-Gard.
Bambouserie en Cévennes. 552 Montsauve, 30140 Générargues
Contact details : 04 66 61 70 47 – bambou@bambouseraie.fr – www.bambouseraie.com
Accessible to everyone (Tourisme&Handicap).
Open 24 February – 15 November, non-stop every day including weekends and public holidays."
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