© Domaine du Rayol
© Domaine du Rayol
© Domaine du Rayol
© Domaine du Rayol
© Domaine du Rayol
© Domaine du Rayol
© Domaine du Rayol
Domaine du Rayol, Le Rayol-Canadel
Botanical gardens and a protected natural space that kids will love
This wonderful botanical gardens, dating from the early 20th century, are located in Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer. They are a great place to spend a day outdoors, with a cafe, a bookshop and lots of exhibitions and guided tours to discover the secrets of Mediterranean floral species.
In 1910, Alfred Théodore Courmes, a businessman from Paris, decided to retire to Rayol where he built a house on a hill dominating the bay of Figuier. Around it, he created extensive gardens with subtropical plants such as palm trees, agaves and mimosas, near a vegetable garden and an orchard.
The domain went to different owners who renovated the house and gardens, until it was made public in 1989. Landscape gardener Gilles Clément turned it into a display of flora growing in Mediterranean climate, including species from south west California, central Chile, southern Africa or southern Australia, as well as the Mediterranean coast.
These gardens have been nurtured and loved to create a magical land filled with exotic and subtropical plants. A maze of paths take you through the grounds, which include an undersea trail (which you can explore with snorkelling gear) and a treasure hunt trail, and you can even get an audioguide to understand the gardens better. Many different activities are offered onsite, including exhibitions on the history and concept of the gardens, a botanical gallery, workshops for families, guided and themed tours and much more.
There is also a café and restaurant where you can have lunch and enjoy the creations of chef Cyril Dupoux, based on Mediterranean recipes and traditions, or just stop for a snack and a drink. The bookshop sells over 2200 texts on plants, gardening, landscaping and other nature-related subjects. And you can even buy typical Mediterranean plants at their own nursery.
Open every day, all year round from 09:30. The closing time depends on the season. Closes at 17:30 in January, February, March, November and December; at 18:30 in April, May, June, September and October; and at 19:30 in July and August.
Le Café des Jardiniers is open every day from 12:15 to closing time. The gardeners bookstore is open every day from 11:00 to 13:00 & 14:00 to closing time. The plant nursery is open from 09:30 to 18:15, but from Wednesday to Sunday, 14:30-18:15, their gardeners can give you their professional advice.
Visitor comments
- "This was the first visit here in Autumn, the previous times being in Spring and Summer and so I was quite surprised at the number of plants in bloom. There are no tags on the plants, but there are numbers and their names can be found in the guidebook. Alternatively, there are guided tours 4 times a day which are well worth joining. Also, this weekend only, there was an exhibition from about 30 growers in the region, displaying and selling Mediterranean-type plants from around the world including cacti and succulents." - Trip Advisor
- "Great walk even in a hot day, access to the beach to discover snorkel paths(!) and various species from all continents what fit the Riviera's climate! Definitely a relaxing choice!" - Trip Advisor
- "This is a wonderful garden at Le Rayol overlooking the sea. Shrubs and trees come from all different parts of the world. This makes a delightful place to visit in spring or summer. Sometimes, there are plant sales there." - Trip Advisor
Directions
Located in the town of Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer, between Le Lavandou and Cavalaire-sur-Mer, around 20 km away from Saint-Tropez. Follow the signs from RD559. There is free parking in front of the gardens.
