Jardin Botanique

The Parc Zoologique et Botanique de Mulhouse, usually shortened to the Jardin Botanique by locals, is a green hillside on the edge of the city that combines a zoo with a large garden of plants, and it is the most visited attraction in the Haut-Rhin. It stretches over about twenty-five hectares on the Rebberg, a hill of former vineyards overlooking the town, and its mature trees, lawns and terraced paths give it the feel of an old landscape park. It was founded in 1868 by a group of local industrialists and citizens, in the years when Mulhouse was prospering from the textile industry and its leaders wanted the city to have a place of education and recreation.

From its origins as a place of public leisure, the park has developed into a centre for the conservation of species. The animal collection, about a thousand or more animals from more than a hundred species, is displayed in enclosures designed to resemble natural habitats. Among the highlights is the area devoted to the Arctic and northern regions, where polar bears and arctic foxes live, along with musk oxen, and there are lemurs from Madagascar, gibbons, big cats, birds and reptiles. A number of the species are endangered, and the zoo takes part in international breeding programmes intended to preserve them. A hatching house, where visitors can see eggs and young birds, is one of the features loved by children.

The botanical side is equally important. The park holds a collection of more than three thousand plant species, from trees of temperate forests to Mediterranean shrubs and alpine plants, and several of them are rare or threatened. It has been awarded the label Jardin remarquable, a French recognition for gardens of high quality. Greenhouses, rock gardens and themed beds show the diversity of the plant world, and a conservatory works to protect the endangered flora of Alsace. The old trees, among them cedars, beeches and sequoias, make the park a pleasant place for a shaded walk.

The park sees its role as one of education and awareness. Signs explain the biology of the species and the threats they face, including habitat loss and climate change, and the staff organise talks and activities for school groups and families. The terrain is hilly, so wear comfortable shoes, and prams and wheelchairs may find some paths steep. A full day is not too long to see everything, but half a day is enough for the main areas. Opening hours vary with the season, being longer in summer, and last entry is before closing.

The park is easily combined with other attractions in Mulhouse. The Cité de l'Automobile, the Musée de l'Impression sur Étoffes and the old town around the Place de la Réunion and the Temple Saint-Étienne make up a good visit to the city. Mulhouse is also a gateway to the Alsace Wine Route and the Vosges. The garden suits families, nature lovers and anyone who likes a combination of animals and plants in a landscape setting.