The Jardin Exotique de Monaco visitor guide

Visit The Jardin Exotique de Monaco, France

The Exotic Garden of Monaco sits on one of the highest points of Monaco and has great views out over Monaco, the port of Monaco and the sea. It is worth visiting the garden for the views alone but add to that the amazing display of cacti and it becomes a must see destination when you visit Monaco.

Explore the Jardin Exotique de Monaco

Monaco's exotic garden covers the cliff top overlooking Monaco and its harbour. The garden was planted in the 1930s and is now home to a huge variety of cacti and succulents which thrive in the mild climate of the Cote d'Azur.

As well as the variety and quantity of exotic plants on display their sheer size is amazing! Added to this the wonderful views over different parts of Monaco and the bay and the garden visit is one of the highlights of a trip to Monaco.

There are seven key sections to the garden. As you enter the garden you are treated to a display of giant flowering succulents. You will recognise some from your indoor plats at home but here they are much bigger! This area leads to the main viewpoint area though you will have many more as you explore.

Next comes an area of huge 'cereus' and then an alley of cereus. These are the tall thin cacti in the garden, and some are very tall indeed: some reach a height of 12 meters! These are some of the oldest cacti in the garden and are native to Mexico and Argentina. Next it is the turn of 'grusonii', the large round cacti that are also present in large numbers.

Further on there is a cool spot by a pond and with some loungers so that you can take the time for a pause if you wish. The final garden area is a large area of 'Mediterranean plants'.

As well as the exotic plants in the Exotic garden of Monaco there is an underground cave system to explore. Be warned the descent involves a huge number of steps, which have of course to be climbed back up at the end of the visit. Inside the caves, temperature is pleasantly cool and the underground cave is huge and filled with large formations of stalactites and stalagmites called the 'underground cathedral' because of the similarity to church organs.

Also included in the visit is a Museum of Anthropology with prehistoric remains from the Principality and neighbouring areas.

Next to the entry there is a shop selling small cacti and succulents as well as gift items, and also vending machines selling drinks.

The Exotic Garden of Monaco practical information

The garden is open all year round except 19 November to 25 December. It is open from 09.00-17.00 in low season and later in spring and summer. Guided visits to the cave are every hour on the hour from 10am.

Prices are 7.20 euros for adults and 3.80 euros for 4-18s.

Places to visit nearby

The Principality of Monaco is beautiful to visit and is close to all the other highlights of the Cote d'Azur including Nice, Menton and Villefranche-sur-Mer.

One of our favourite villages in Provence is Eze, close to here and home another of the superb French gardens, the exotic garden of Eze.

You can find more travel ideas in the Alpes-Maritimes guide and the Provence guide.