Located on a hill in the heart of the city, the gardens of the Fountain were created on a magnificent historical and natural site of 15 hectares.
The first European public garden, it consists of two landscaped architectures:
- a classic 18th century garden
- a Mediterranean-style landscaped garden
Its creation began in 1745. At the request of the King of France, Louis XV, Jacques Philippe Mareschal (king's engineer, Director of the fortifications of the provinces of Languedoc) is the designer.
Mareschal's ambition is to stage the source and the ancient remains discovered, in a composition inspired by French-style gardens: with its symmetrical paths, its rows of trees, the ensemble enriched by balusters, vases, benches ( in the center, the allegorical sculpture representing Nîmes).
The project providing for several terraces will never be finalized.
At the beginning of the 19th century, Augustin Cavalier, Mayor of Nîmes, implemented the development of the hill and gave it his name.Vegetation is carried out using different species, such as Aleppo pine, holm oak, cypress etc. Paths are made allowing walkers to discover different scenes such as the rocky-style cave. At the end of these paths, a remarkable monument dominates the garden: the Tour Magne.
Since then, many spaces have been created to enrich this place, such as the rock garden, a clever mix of rocks and Mediterranean plants, the Montgolfier basin with its aquatic plants, the Mazet garden.
Opening time :
- from September 1 to 30 from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- from October 1 to March 1 from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- from March 2 to 31 from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- from April 1 to August 31 from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- and from June 30 to September 17: the lower part of the garden is open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 7:30 am to midnight.
Shaded rest areas, picnic areas.
Access for people with reduced mobility on the lower part.
For the visit, brochure available at the Tourist Office on 04 66 58 38 00.
