Discover the different observation points in the Park of the Botanical garden...
- Systematic garden
- Jura garden
- Arboretum
- Apiary
- Garden of senses
Systematic garden
The Systematic garden is one of the oldest parts of the site, dating from when the Botanical garden was founded. The landscaping of this garden has changed many times over the years, but it has always featured flowering plants (angiosperms) classified according to the different families to which they belong.
Today the garden still consists of 24 flower beds flanking the central path, each of which contains 15 different species, making a total of 360 taxa of flowering plants, systematically arranged according to where they fit in the taxonomy.
The beautiful flowers in this garden include 180 varieties of irises and 80 varieties of roses, creating a stunning spectacle when they bloom in late May/early June.
The Systematic garden is bordered on one side by a collection of poisonous plants and on the other by culinary herbs and condiment plants.
Jura garden
This part of the garden showcases the flora of the Jura region.
Here, you’ll find species emblematic of this mountainous area, some of which only grow wild in the surrounding mountains (endemic species).
The garden is also home to numerous protected species, some of which are endangered or potentially threatened and others almost extinct in the wild. The Botanical garden is involved in several species reintroduction projects. These species are cultivated and propagated here and then reintroduced to their original habitat.
More than 600 species are found here, roughly a quarter of all the flora of the Jura.
Arboretum
The Arboretum is made up of various trees and shrubs, some of which are a hundred years old or more. This area is watched over by some impressive old trees, including an unusually shaped giant cedar with branches that have fused together to form additional trunks.
Apiary
Bees are among the most useful insects to the environment. Along with other insects, bees are responsible for pollinating 80% of all flowering plants. Pollination is essential to fruit development and, by extension, reproduction. Sadly, the number of wild bees is in long-term decline, mainly due to the increasing scarcity of nesting sites and poisoning by pesticides.
To raise awareness of this among the general public, JURASSICA has installed an Educational apiary and a bee discovery trail called the Apiparcours in the Botanical garden.
Apiparcours
On the Apiparcours, a series of fascinating information points teach visitors all about the wonderful world of bees and what we can do to help them survive and thrive.
Educational apiary
The Educational apiary is a glass-fronted Swiss hive system that enables the general public and school groups to learn how bees live and work. Visitors can watch how the bees make hive cells, observe the young queen, see how fertilisation occurs and make out the different brood stages.
Garden of senses
JURASSICA has developed a number of fun, educational features that children can explore using all five senses.