Jardin de l’État

Place de Metz, 97400 Saint-Denis
Tel: 02 62 20 02 19.
Free admission.
Open every day except Monday:
October to March: 6:45 a.m. to 7 p.m.
April to September: 6:45 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Jardin Remarquable label. Catering available on site.
One-hour guided tour available.

Created in 1773 by the Compagnie des Indes, the “Jardin du Roy” housed plants newly introduced to the island for the purpose of acclimatization, on a surface area of four hectares. Once acclimatized, the plants were distributed to the population for cultivation. It has since become the island’s largest public garden.

The Royal Garden owes much of its development to Nicolas Bréon. He had various species of fruit trees planted, mainly from Madagascar, Mauritius and Arabia. Some of these trees have been there since the beginning, making them three hundred years old!

Take the time to explore this exotic garden on a refreshing stroll along the paths and ponds, fountains and statues, in the shade of the palm columns, and discover rare botanical species, such as the Talipot palm, which flowers every 50 to 100 years, and of which the ONF (Office National des Forêts) has counted only 50 specimens scattered around the island. Note also the busts of Pierre Poivre and Joseph Hubert, who introduced fruit and spices to the island (clove, cinnamon, 4-spice…).

This listed site is ideal for an educational visit or simply a coffee on the terrace. A water playground has also been set up for children.

An unmissable stopover!