Coutances Botanical Garden (Jardin des Plantes de Coutances)
About Coutances Botanical Garden (Jardin des Plantes de Coutances)
This 19th-century public garden covers 2.1 hectares on three terraced levels, combining French formal design, English landscape groves, and Italian-style terraces. Created between 1852-1855 after Jean-Jacques Quesnel-Morinière bequeathed his estate to the city, it was designed by retired military engineer Adèle Sébastien Minel. The garden contains several classified remarkable trees dating from 1857, including a fern-leaf beech, Virginia tulip tree, Lebanon cedar, and ginkgo biloba. Annual mosaiculture displays with themed floral compositions have been a tradition since the late 1800s. Visitors can explore a labyrinth, water jets, children's play areas, and an authentic cider press. During July and August, the garden stays open until late evening with illuminations and musical accompaniment. Listed as a Historic Monument since 1992, this remains one of the oldest public gardens in Normandy. Hours vary seasonally from 9am-5:30pm in winter to 9am-9:30pm in summer.
Interesting Facts
The garden's original benefactor, Quesnel-Morinière, stipulated in his will that medicinal plants must be grown for free distribution to the poor. This charitable requirement remained in effect for decades after the garden opened in 1855, with local residents able to collect herbal remedies at no cost.
One of the Virginia tulip trees in the garden came from the Petit Trianon at Versailles during the reign of Marie Antoinette. The tree was transplanted in the late 18th century and still blooms each summer, making it over 230 years old.
The purple beech near the main entrance has a trunk circumference of 4.90 meters at chest height, making it one of the largest specimens of its species in Normandy. A nearby green oak measures 4.23 meters around, with both trees designated as official remarkable trees by the Manche department.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Location & Practical Info
Address
2 rue Quesnel-Morinière, 50200 Coutances
Day Routes
Explore all day routesThese carefully curated day itineraries include this attraction and show you exactly how to plan your visit, including transport, timing, and what else to see nearby.
Want to visit this attraction? These routes show you how to get here and what to combine it with.
