The Jardin Alpin du Lautaret is a unique botanical garden perched at an altitude of over 2,000 meters in the Hautes-Alpes department. Covering an area of 2 hectares, it is the work of a passionate botanist from the late 19th century, Jean-Paul Lachmann. It is characterized by its great plant diversity, home to some two thousand alpine plants from all over the world and a third of France’s flora. In addition to the botanical park’s collections, the Lautaret garden is also dedicated to research, student training and the popularization of plant-related science. It is listed as one of France’s most beautiful gardens, and guided tours are organized. Its location in the high mountains, close to the glaciers of the Écrins and Meije massifs, gives it an inimitable charm. Hikers who venture to the high peaks of mountains the world over are unanimous: the botanical garden on the Col du Lautaret is one of a kind ! Located on the commune of Villar-d’ArèneNearby are the Serre-Chevalier ski resort and the town of Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne.
The ecological diversityof the Jardin du Lautaret
Diversity and discovery
The Lautaret botanical garden is ideally nestled between the Meije massif and the Écrins national park to the north, and the Grand Galibier (Cerces massif) to the south. The Floral Park owes its reputation to its rich ecological heritage. This area is a meeting point between different natural spaces, including the snowy, fog-covered northern French Alps and the southern Alps, known for their Mediterranean sunshine. This is where the oceanic influence of the Alpine mountain range contrasts with the dry continental climate. The Alpine garden of Le Lautaret also stands out for its geological diversity, including the Galibier massif of sedimentary rock and crystalline rock.
The wealth of rare plants is also worthy of note. In the Hautes-Alpes garden, there are almost 1,500 plant species, equivalent to around a third of the French flora. This great diversity of vegetation is due in particular to the climatic and geological variations of the mountain site, but also to the differences in altitude on the slopes, from the foot of the pass to the surrounding peaks. In other words, the more diverse the landscapes and their configurations, the more diverse the plant species, making walks all the more enjoyable for the whole family!
The different roles of the botanical gardendu col du Lautaret
Popularizing botanical science is one of the main functions of the Jardin du Lautaret. The site also features the Galerie de l’Alpe, an accommodation facility designed to welcome the general public. The Hautes-Alpes botanical garden is also a biodiversity research center. The site includes a chalet-laboratory for international researchers studying botanical gardens on every continent. Training students in the natural sciences is the other main function of the Lautaret garden. Trainees and students are accommodated in the Mirande chalet.
The Alpine garden at Le Lautaret has not always had the same configuration or location. In 1919, the road to the Col du Galibier was built, passing through the middle of the garden. So the Jardin des Plantes had to be moved higher up, to an altitude of 2,100 meters. Lovers of botany, horticulture, natural history and open-air walks will take great pleasure in visiting this “Remarkable Garden”. Its outstanding plant collections include medicinal plants, various perennial specimens and a multitude of aromatic plant species that have acclimatized to rocky surfaces and evergreen snow. Discover the Jardin du Lautaret when it’s in full bloom, and you’ll have a memorable experience!
Our 5-star À La Rencontre du Soleil campsite is less than 40 km from the Lautaret alpine garden. Treat yourself to a wonderful stay in Isère in one of our comfortable mobile homes or on one of our pitches for tents or campervans. You’ll also have the privilege of enjoying our heated indoor swimming pool, ideal for relaxing after a busy day exploring the region.