If you are looking for an exotic place on the French Riviera or in the surrounding area, let me take you to the Italian border, more precisely to Ventimille to show you one of the most remarkable botanical gardens in Italy: the Hanbury Botanical Garden. An exotic garden that is only 40 kilometres from Nice by car.
Although in the region we also have beautiful gardens that are just as remarkable (I’m thinking of the exotic garden of Eze village which is one of the most beautiful villages on the French Riviera), the one in Hanbury is on a much higher level because of its size and beauty. Just entering the garden you will be blown away by the view!
1. A little history
The garden was created in the 19th century by Sir Thomas Hanbury, a rich English botanist with a passion for exotic plants. This passion led him to travel all over the world to collect specimens of rare and interesting plants. As a result of his many journeys, he finally decided to create a garden to cultivate them in favourable conditions.
In 1867, Hanbury bought a property in Ventimille on the French-Italian border. A strategic location that offered a mild, sunny climate and a magnificent view of the Mediterranean. A favourable climate that allowed him to quickly develop an impressive collection of botanical plants from all over the world.
Over the years, Hanbury has continued to expand the garden and has developed new themed gardens, such as citrus gardens, cactus gardens and Mediterranean gardens. Hanbury Botanic Garden has become an internationally renowned venue for botanists, scientists and exotic plant enthusiasts, and today continues to be one of the most important and spectacular botanic gardens in Europe.
After the death of Thomas Hanbury and after the Second World War, the gardens were sold to the Italian state in the 1960s. Since 1987, their management has been entrusted to the University of Genoa.= and they are classified as a regional heritage site.
The garden is also famous for its panoramic view of the Mediterranean Sea and for its impressive architecture. There is a large villa in the garden, called Villa Hanbury, which now houses a botanical research centre.
2. A variety of exotic plants at the Hanbury Botanic Garden
The Hanbury Botanic Garden is famous for its wide variety of exotic plants and flowers. It covers an area of 18 hectares and is divided into several zones, each dedicated to a type of plant or a geographical region.
There are many different types of plant specimens:
- cacti
- citrus gardens
- mediterranean plants
- tropical and subtropical gardens
- succulent gardens
- …and many more
3. Useful information about the Hanbury Botanic Garden
OPENING HOURS
Hanbury Botanic Garden opening times depend on the season and may vary. In general, the garden is open every day of the week except Mondays and opening hours are generally as follows:
- March to April: 9.30am – 5.30pm
- May to August: 9.30am – 6.30pm
- September to October: 9.30am – 5.30pm
- November to February: 10.00am – 4.30pm
It is advisable to check the exact opening times before planning your visit, as there may be seasonal changes or exceptional closing days.
LOCATION
The Hanbury Botanic Garden address is:
Corso Montecarlo, 43, 18039 Ventimiglia IM, Italy
The garden is located about 2 km east of Ventimiglia city centre, along the Mediterranean coast.
MEANS OF TRANSPORT
It is easily accessible by car or train from Nice.
