(Re)Discover the Jardin des Plantes in a Fun Way

You probably already know this: the Jardin des Plantes is a unique place in Montpellier to relax. But did you know that it’s also a place for discovery and exchange? The botanists and gardeners take this role to heart and organize numerous events throughout the year to help you discover the garden from this perspective. This is particularly true right now with“Summer Tours.”Finally, the Jardin des Plantes serves an educational purpose year-round—a mission that’s really taking off, reconnecting with its roots (teaching botany) while embracing modern objectives and tools. To reinforce this educational aspect, one of our staff members, Denis Nespoulous, has created interactive trails to let you discover the garden as you’ve never seen it before!

The Origins of the Connected Trails at the Jardin des Plantes

The trail known as “SMART BOTA” was created in 2018 for the Tela Botanica association’s introductory MOOC on botany.

This association, founded in 1999 and comprising a broad network of French-speaking botanists, aims to:

to promote the exchange of information among botanists,
facilitate projects using digital tools,
produce copyright-free data on flora,
raise awareness and provide training in botany.

What are "connected trails"?

The “Connected Trails” are information sheets available to everyone and spread across several routes. They can be accessed via a QR code using a smartphone or tablet. These allow you to explore the garden’s treasures at your own pace. The four different routes are posted at the entrance to the Jardin des Plantes: simply follow the guide, or—if you prefer—lose yourself in the garden’s paths.

These botanical fact sheets provide a variety of information about the plant you scan, such as a description, its uses, and its habitat. It’s a fun and engaging way to learn more about the flora around us!

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The Garden's Five Connected Paths

For now, there are five connected trails within the Jardin des Plantes. These may change over time thanks to your collaboration.

The SMART’BOTA Trail

The second connected trail at the Jardin des Plantes in Montpellier, and the first trail designed for educational purposes, it was created in 2018 for Tela Botanica’s introductory MOOC on botany of which Denis serves as the course coordinator. The course aims to introduce enthusiasts to botany. It features about sixty species and introduces you to the main plant families.

The SMART’PHARMA Trail

An extension of the first “SMART’BOTA” trail; this trail was created for students at the Montpellier School of Pharmacy. Indeed, a wide variety of plants can be used for therapeutic and medicinal purposes. This trail allows students students to combine the theoretical aspects of their courses with practical ones by directly observing the plants within the Garden. This educational trail is also accessible to everyone. It features approximately sixty plant species.

The "Remarkable Trees" Trail

This trail, created in 2014, is the oldest trail in the Jardin des Plantes. It allows you to discover all the secrets of the Jardin des Plantes’s tall trees. It’s also the only trail you can explore without your smartphone, as it features information panels, but feel free to scan the QR codes on the signs to unlock all the secrets of botany! This interactive trail features 25 tree species selected from among the garden’s most remarkable and oldest trees.

The HERBES FOLLES Trail

This trail, created for Tela Botanica’s “Herbes Folles” MOOC (the second edition is scheduled for this fall!), aims to help you rediscover these plants that are pejoratively referred to as “weeds.” They, too, have their benefits, and beyond their drawbacks—which we certainly don’t deny—they also play an important role in our environment. The wild herbs in the garden invite you to reflect on issues of biodiversity. This trail will help you see these “weeds” in a whole new light…

The " OBSERVATOIRE DES SAISONS" Trail

The last trail is somewhat unique, as it is part of a citizen science. Get involved in this CNRS program by observing the 12 species along the trail. Its goal is also to raise awareness about global warming by introducing us to phenology (the observation of periodic events, in this case involving plants). At the entrance to the Jardin des Plantes, you can ask for a specially designed form where you can record your observations. This data will help scientists better understand and monitor climate change and its associated challenges.

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And for those who are curious, check out the app

If you’d like to explore Montpellier’s Jardin des Plantes further using digital tools, you can download the SMART’ FLORE app on all your Android devices. The app offers: