The Geneva Conservatory and Botanical Garden showcases more than 16,000 plant species from around the world across 28 hectares, on the edge of Geneva. Explore themed gardens, tropical greenhouses and an animal park, all free of charge.
Botanical gardens
Main highlights
- 16,000 plant species displayed in labelled themed gardens across 28 hectares
- Tropical greenhouses showcasing the vegetation of hot, humid climates all year round
- Animal park with flamingos, tortoises and fallow deer among the collections
Overview
In 1817, Augustin-Pyramus de Candolle returned to his hometown and founded a botanical garden on the site of today’s Promenade des Bastions. The institution continues a Genevan botanical tradition dating back to the 18th century and ranks among Europe’s leading botanical centres.
The site comprises four areas : the Botanical Garden, the Greenhouses devoted to tropical and Mediterranean plants, the Console by the lake and the Domaine du Château de Penthes. Its herbarium holds around 6 million specimens, one of the largest in the world.
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What to see and do
The gardens display more than 16,000 species of the world’s flora. You’ll wander through an alpine garden, an arboretum, rock gardens and collections arranged by geographical region. The plants are labelled, making it easy to explore at your own pace.
The tropical greenhouses are open all year round. Rare and fragile plants are kept in historic greenhouses that are normally closed to the public. Other conservation greenhouses recreate climates from cold to hot to preserve endangered species.
The animal park is home to flamingos, tortoises and fallow deer. Botanists lead themed guided tours focusing on particular plant groups. A library of more than 100,000 volumes on floristics and taxonomy supports the research carried out on site.
Practical information
Access : the garden, located in Pregny-Chambésy, is free to enter.
Visit duration : allow at least two hours for the outdoor gardens and greenhouses.
Visitors : the garden is laid out on a single level, suitable for people with reduced mobility and families.
On site : Le Pyramus restaurant, picnic areas, a shop selling botanical books and seeds, step-free toilets.
Visiting tips
Come early in the morning if you’re taking photos : the dew and low-angled light show the plants at their best. Ask about the themed guided tours to learn more about a particular plant group.
This place is part of the selection Geneva, between lakes, mountains and cosmopolitanism.
Nearby
- The Palais des Nations, built between 1929 and 1936, houses the European headquarters of the United Nations.
- The Musée Ariana, the Swiss Museum of Ceramics and Glass, showcases ceramics and glass from around the world.
- The Bains des Pâquis, on the shores of Lake Geneva, offer swimming in summer and winter alike with views of the Jet d’eau.
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