| Jardin Exotique de Monaco | |
| Photo Width: | 256 |
| Type: | Botanical garden |
| Map Label: | Jardin Exotique de Monaco |
| Map Width: | 208 |
| Coords: | 43.7322°N 7.4139°W |
| Website: | https://web.archive.org/web/20050508162801/http://www.jardin-exotique.mc/accueil_eng.htm |
The Jardin Exotique de Monaco (French for "exotic garden of Monaco") is a botanical garden located on a cliffside in Monaco.
The succulent plants were brought back from Mexico in the late 1860s.[1] By 1895, Augustin Gastaud, who served as the Chief Gardener of the State Gardens of Monaco, grew the succulents in the Jardin St Martin.[1] [2]
Albert I, Prince of Monaco acquired a piece of land in Les Moneghetti in 1912.[1] He commissioned Louis Notari, the Chief Engineer of Monaco, to build a new garden with footbridges.[1] During the construction, Notari found a grotto underneath in 1916.[1] Meanwhile, the garden was finished in 1933.[1] Monegasque agronomist Louis Vatrican served as its first director from 1933 to 1969.[2] He added African succulents to the existing South American plants.[2] After he retired in 1969, he was succeeded by Marcel Kroenlein.[2]
The grotto was opened to the public in 1950, but it may only be visited with specialized guides. Evidence of prehistoric human inhabitants has been found in the cave.[1] There is a Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology within the Exotic Garden displaying many of those prehistoric remains.[1] It was founded by Prince Albert I in 1902.
As of 2023, the garden closed to carry out renovations and security upgrades. However, the botanical center remained open. The garden opened each Saturday at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM for reserved guided tours.[3]