Tag archive for: Jardin des Plantes

#ProudOfOurStaff | The Jardin des Plantes, Winner of the 2022 National Vegetable Garden Competition!

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Did you know? The Jardin des Plantes is home to many unique features. Among the most recent is a permaculture vegetable garden. Created two years ago on the initiative of Jean-François “Jeff” Fauveau, a member of our team of botanist-gardeners, this permaculture plot is now the winner of the prestigious national vegetable garden competition, organized by the National Horticultural Society of France ! A source of immense pride for our Faculty and the teams at the Jardin des Plantes. At the awards ceremony held on November 30, we met Jeff, who told us about this project.

 

A project born out of post-lockdown reflection

It was in 2020 that the idea of creating a permaculture vegetable garden at the Jardin des Plantes first took root in Jeff’s mind. Intrigued by current events at the time, our gardener had noticed that many people were turning to permaculture as a response to political and economic challenges.

Inspired by the Jardin des Plantes’ mission to raise awareness, Jeff hopes that this garden will encourage the people of Montpellier to reconnect with agriculture and take back control of their food. To that end, he has designed his project around plant varieties that are best suited for our balconies, terraces, and gardens in our region’s Mediterranean climate.

 

A permaculture garden: what’s that all about?

When we ask Jean-François to explain what a permaculture garden is, he responds on two levels:

  • The technical aspect: Permaculture draws on practices shared around the world, focusing on understanding soil chemistry to minimize human intervention in the soil and its structure. The goal is to combine specific plant varieties—primarily perennials—to create symbiotic systems, thereby avoiding the use of chemical inputs such as pesticides or fertilizers.
  • The values framework: According to Jeff, permaculture is more than just a practice; it is based on a system of values aimed at “protecting the earth and people, and sharing the surplus.”

 

All in all, a permaculture garden is a garden designed with sustainability in mind, based on careful observation of biological ecosystems. Cultivated with respect for nature, the seasons, and people, it allows plants to be grown without the use of chemicals.

 

The permaculture garden at the Jardin des Plantes: a place of plant diversity, open to the public

Launched in 2020, the permaculture garden can be found in Plot No. 4 of the School of Systematics at the Jardin des Plantes. Covering an area of nearly 200 m², the garden features over 250 species of plants, all of which are edible. Among the cultivated species, Jeff tries to balance so-called “classic” plants with more “unique” ones. You’ll find tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers, apples, grapes, and corn, as well as Daubenton cabbage, Rocambolle garlic, stevia, peanuts, and bissap. Edible flowers are also on hand to delight the taste buds of even the most discerning gourmets.

This permaculture garden is tended by Jeff, who also works to introduce it to the people of Montpellier through guided tours between March and November. Jeff takes this opportunity to offer advice on permaculture and to share the fruits of his labor by giving visitors some fruits and vegetables to taste when the season allows!

 

An innovative project, winner of the 2022 National Vegetable Garden Competition

All this variety and these educational initiatives have undoubtedly helped make this project one of the winners of the national vegetable garden contest!

After submitting an entry in June in Category 4, “Educational Garden or Plot,” the teams at the Jardin des Plantes welcomed the competition judges in September for a two-hour visit, during which they asked our gardener a variety of technical questions.

A few weeks later, Jeff was delighted to learn that his garden had been selected as one of the 60 finalists in the competition for the Grand Prize for France’s best educational vegetable garden! 

Jean-François and Emmanuel Spicq, head gardener at the Jardin des Plantes, received the award during a ceremony held on November 30, 2022, in Paris. A source of great pride for Jeff:

“This is a wonderful surprise. I’m very happy—this project and this competition allow us to step outside our usual scope. It gives us the opportunity to connect with other national institutions and reach out to the wider world. I look forward to exchanging ideas with the other participants and winners to take this project to new horizons!”

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SHNF Press Kit
 

 

 

More to come on the Garden's projects

In addition to putting our garden in the spotlight, this contest is indeed an opportunity to build new relationships and partnerships with other gardeners, gardens, and/or institutions and organizations.

“I hope to gain new insights from these discussions that will help me apply permaculture principles to other projects. After the vegetable garden, I’d like to work with fellow gardeners at the Jardin des Plantes to explore the possibility of creating a new permaculture plot focused on drought-tolerant plants!” Jeff tells us enthusiastically.

The plot, which has already been identified, will be located on the Dunal Dellile hill, another section of the School of Systematics. We therefore wish our teams at the Garden the very best of luck with this new project, which may provide an opportunity to enter this competition in a different category!

 

Practical information:
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#ProudOfOurStudents | 2022 Medical School Commencement

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A few weeks after our Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs), it’s now our medical students’ turn to attend their graduation ceremony.

A ceremony traditionally held at the Jardin des Plantes

Traditionally held at the Jardin des Plantes on the third weekend of September, this ceremony gives our students’ friends and families the chance to (re)discover the faculty through a private tour of the campus led by our faculty members, before cheering on our new graduates!

 

A rite of passage into postgraduate medical studies

The students attending this ceremony are completing their first two years of medical school (six years). They are now entering their third year of medical school and will begin their residency in one of the medical or surgical specialties, either in Montpellier or in other cities.

We wish them all the best in their future careers! Congratulations to everyone!

 

A few photos

MED 2022 Ceremony -1

Graduates' Speeches

MED 2022 Ceremony -2

The organizers (ANIMN)

MED 2022 Ceremony -3

Visit to the Dean's Office

MED 2022 Ceremony -4

Promotional photo

MED 2022 Ceremony -5

Our professors stroll from the Faculty to the Jardin des Plantes

MED 2022 Ceremony – 6

Guided tour of the Cloakroom led by Professor Lavabre

MED 2022 Ceremony -7

A ceremony attended by the university president

MED 2022 Ceremony -8

Every year, the students' families and friends are there to support them!

MED 2022 Ceremony -9

A graduating class typically consists of between 200 and 300 students

MED 2022 Ceremony -10

Remarks by Dr. Cathala, President of the CDOM

MED 2022 Ceremony -11

Graduates' Speeches
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#JEP 2022 | The Jardin des Plantes Takes Center Stage!

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This year, as part of Heritage Days, La Mission Bern, in partnership with the Fondation pour le Patrimoine and La Française des Jeux, will present the Jardins des Plantes team with a check funded by the Heritage Lottery! In the afternoon, a program of free guided tours awaits visitors.

 

Read the press kit

 

The Jardin des Plantes, selected by the Heritage Lottery

As we learned last March, the Jardin des Plantes was selected by the Mission Patrimoine—a program entrusted to Stéphane Bern by the Ministry of Culture — along with 18 other French sites to receive funding from the Loto du Patrimoine. In addition to providing significant national exposure, this program will give the Jardin des Plantes administration a much-needed boost for its renovation, with work expected to begin shortly.

To celebrate this occasion, the Jardin des Plantes will host a delegation from Mission Patrimoine and La Française des Jeux during European Heritage Days. An awards ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. this Saturday, September 17, at the Jardin des Plantes. This ceremony, attended by Mr. Lloberes, FDJ Regional Director for the Southeast, Mr. Pradel, FDJ Manager for the Hérault Nord Aveyron sector, and Mr. Genet, Regional Delegate for Occitanie-Méditerranée for the Fondation du Patrimoine, will unveil the support provided by the Mission to the Intendance renovation project.

 

An afternoon filled with guided tours!

To celebrate Heritage Days, our teams of gardeners and teachers are offering—for once—several guided tours. These tours are free and do not require reservations; they are conducted in small groups of 15 to 20 people. Be sure to arrive a few minutes early to secure a spot. If the weather is nice, a bottle of water and a hat are highly recommended!

See the schedule for the day below.

 

Note: This year, the Historic Building will not be open to the public due to renovation work.

 

We've talked about it

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Jardin des Plantes | Summer 2022 Tours

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Every summer, the Jardin des Plantes organizes tours to help the general public learn more about our botanical garden. Check out the summer 2022 program.

Tours for all ages

Open to everyone, the Jardin des Plantes’ summer tours explore nine recurring themes: “Herbs and the Sensory Garden,” “Medicinal Plant Collections,” “The Jardin des Plantes’ Plant Collections,” “The Martins Greenhouse and Its Succulent Collection,” “To be or not to be a botanical garden, that is the question,” “Tours of the Permaculture Edible Garden,” “Aromatic Plants and Spices,” “The Garden, Medicine, and Botany for 400 Years.”

 

DOWNLOADABLE PROGRAM
REGISTRATION (FREE)

Practical Information

ADDRESS

Henri IV Boulevard,

34000 Montpellier

  • Free admission

  • Advance registration is REQUIRED

  • Please meet at the garden entrance on Henri IV Boulevard 10 minutes before the tour begins

 

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#ProudOfOurStudents | Med’Ley in concert at the Jardin des Plantes this Friday, July 1!

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The Med’ley association organizes music-related events, singing contests, bar concerts, karaoke nights, and music quizzes. The student association aims to bring together medical and health science students to satisfy their musical cravings! For the third time, Med’ley is organizing a concert at the Jardin des Plantes: Don’t miss this event!

 

 

Concert at the Jardin des Plantes

For this third edition of the Concert at the Jardin des Plantes, the Med’ley association is organizing a musical event with the primary goal of raising funds for the “RIRE”association.

Supported by Med’ley for the past two years, the organization aims to brighten the days of children in the pediatric ward by bringing in clowns. A concert will therefore be held on July 1, 2022, at the Jardin des Plantes from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

 

Buy my tickets

A special occasion

This is your chance to be enchanted by the essence of summer and enjoy performances by students from Montpellier who have been practicing and preparing for months for this event.

Snacks and food will be available for purchase to support the RIRE association, and a raffle will be held with a chance to win unique prizes.

 

 

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Summer 2022 | Temporary Closures of the Garden

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We would like to inform our visitors that the garden will be closed on the following dates: 

 

  • Thursday, June 23: The garden will reopen at 4 p.m.
  • Friday, June 24: The garden will close at 3 p.m.
  • Friday, July 1: The garden will close at 5 p.m.

 

Thank you for your understanding, and we wish you a wonderful summer!

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Official Visit | Visit by the Vietnamese Ambassador to France

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The AD@lY Association and the Faculty are honored to welcome His Excellency Mr. DINH Toan Thang, Vietnam’s Ambassador to France, on Tuesday, June 14.

 

What's on

 

  • 3:00–3:30 p.m.

    School of Medicine - Historic Building

    Home

  • School of Medicine - Auditorium

    Remarks by Dean Laffont

    Acknowledgments and Introduction by AD@lY President Anna Owhadi Richardson

    Book: Dalat: Past, Present, and Future by M. PharmS

    Remarks by Professor Charles Sultan, representing Mayor Michaël Delafosse

    Remarks by Clare Hart, Vice President for International Relations

    Remarks by the regional representative

    Remarks by the Academy’s representative

    Remarks by His Excellency Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang

    Testimonials from AD@lY members and friends: Hélène Mandroux, Jacques Touchon

    3:30 p.m.

  • 4:30 p.m.

    Botanical Garden

    Tour of the Jardin des Plantes organized by the Association of Friends of the Jardin des Plantes in Montpellier

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Rendez-vous aux Jardins: The Jardin des Plantes will be there this weekend!

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For the 19thth edition of “Rendez-vous aux Jardins,” gardeners and botanists welcome you from across Europe to explore the theme “Gardens in the Face of Climate Change.” The event, organized by the Ministry of Culture, will take place from Friday, June 3, to Sunday, June 5, 2022. And here’s some good news: the Jardin Des Plantes in Montpellier will be participating for two days.

 

 What exactly is “Rendez-vous aux jardins”?

 Starting Friday, June 3, nearly 2,200 gardens will open their gates, offering moments of joy and discovery. It’s an opportunity to share with family and friends through a wide range of activities. Throughout the weekend, visitors will be able to interact with experts on nature conservation measures, with the goal of raising awareness about the protection of biodiversity, which is essential to the well-being of all living things. Furthermore, in recent years, thanks to successful European cooperation, many countries have joined the initiative, including Germany, Portugal, Croatia, Italy, Poland, and France. This is an opportunity to discover splendid gardens, including the Jardin des Plantes at the Montpellier Faculty of Medicine.

 

And what's the situation like at the Jardin des Plantes?

The Jardin des Plantes at the Montpellier Faculty of Medicine is opening its doors this year for its 19th annual event. In groups of 25, you’ll explore the garden’s iconic sites through 14 guided tours, focusing on recurring themes such as “Bees and Humans in 2022,” “Herbs and the Five Senses Plots,” or general tours. All passionate about botany, our five gardener-botanists—who will don the role of guides for the duration of the weekend—will present how plants are adapting to climate change in their respective areas. The goal of these two days is to foster interaction between our gardeners-botanists and the general public, as well as to raise awareness among young people and adults alike about preserving and promoting the Faculty’s Jardin des Plantes. An iconic site in Montpellier, come discover it with fresh eyes. We look forward to seeing many of you there! 

 

2022 Tour Schedule for "RDV aux Jardins"

All tours depart from the municipal guards' station on Boulevard Henri IV.

The maximum number of people per visit is limited to 25.

  • Fri, June 3 – 1:00 p.m.

    Bees and Humans in 2022

    by Jeff Fauveau and the APIS SCHOLA association

  • General Tour of the Garden

    by Emmanuel Spicq

    Fri, June 3 – 1:30 p.m.

  • Fri, June 3 – 2:00 p.m.

    To be or not to be in an English garden—that is the question?

    by Ludovic Rioux and Jean-Louis Talavera

  • The Collections of the Jardin des Plantes

    by Didier Morisot

    Fri, June 3 – 2:30 p.m.

  • Fri, June 3 – 3:00 p.m.

    Plant strategies and adaptations to climate change

    by Denis Nespoulous

  • Herbs and the Five Senses Square

    by Jean-Louis Talavera

    Fri, June 3 – 4:00 p.m.

  • Sat, June 4 – 1:30 p.m.

    To be or not to be in an English garden—that is the question?

    by Ludovic Rioux and Jean-Louis Talavera

  • A Walk Through History and Ecology

    by Denis Nespoulous

    Saturday, June 4 – 2:00 p.m.

  • Sat, June 4 – 2:15 p.m.

    Bees and Humans in 2022

    by Jeff Fauveau and the APIS SCHOLA association

  • Martins Greenhouse and its collection of succulents

    by Emmanuel SPICQ

    Saturday, June 4 – 2:30 p.m.

  • Saturday, June 4 – 3:00 p.m.

    Herbs and the Five Senses Square

    by Jean-Louis Talavera

  • Plant strategies and adaptations to climate change

    by Denis Nespoulous

    Saturday, June 4 – 3:30 p.m.

  • Sat, June 4 – 4:00 p.m.

    Bees and Humans in 2022

    by Jeff Fauveau and the APIS SCHOLA association

  • General Tour of the Garden

    by Emmanuel Spicq

    Sat, June 4 – 4:30 p.m.

 

 

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Jardin des Plantes: Don’t miss the “Boutographies” exhibition through May 29!

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Inspired by the Jardin des Plantes and its historic herbarium, discover the “Botanica” exhibition curated by Christelle Boulé for the Boutographie Festival. From Saturday, May 7, through Sunday, May 29, enjoy a floral stroll right in the heart of the Orangerie.

Off-site programming

Each year, the Boutographie Festival offers a parallel program that creates a circuit through various cultural venues in Montpellier. Originally scheduled for 2019 but canceled due to the health crisis, the Jardin des Plantes is hosting the Botanica project this year—a series of 15 paintings paying tribute to its botanical collections. To learn about the project’s origins and its inspirations, we spoke with artist Christelle Boullé.

What is your background?

I grew up in Montreal and studied art. I later decided to switch to graphic design and earned a bachelor’s degree in 2009. After moving to Lausanne, Switzerland, I worked for four years as a graphic designer at an agency. Following this experience, I decided to resume my studies and enrolled in the Master’s program in photography at ECAN, a world-renowned school, from 2014 to 2016. That’s when I began approaching photography the way I do today—experimentally—particularly through a series I created on perfume. It involves working in a lab, much like with film photography, but here the photos are developed in color. I love that each photo is unique, and this technique is a playground for creativity.

Tell us about the Les Boutographies project  

In 2017, I submitted my graduation project to exhibit at the Pavillon Populaire. I was contacted again in late 2019 for an “Hors les Murs” exhibition, which showcases various photo series throughout Montpellier. They reached out to me because I work with materials. I really like the Boutographies project because it helps showcase emerging artists; it’s very refreshing and gives us the chance to discover projects that don’t get as much exposure.

What about the Botanica project?

This invitation is a wonderful gift. I had been working for two or three years on the visual representation of perfume when Les Boutographies came up with this idea in collaboration with the Jardin des Plantes in Montpellier. So I began researching the site and was immediately inspired. It’s a fantastic place. I watched documentaries and reports to discover the richness of the herbariums, which immediately caught my interest. I wanted to get closer to the material and pay homage to nature, scents, and forms. I then wanted to create a timeless garden—a garden we could have at home or one that might have existed 300 years ago—to bridge the past and the future.

What inspired you when working on the Jardin des Plantes?

I didn’t actually go to the Jardin des Plantes; instead, I decided to imagine it and let myself be inspired. So I turned to my friends who had traveled to places like Japan or Canada and taken photos of plants. My work was based on my research and, above all, on my interpretation of what the garden might be like.

 

Launched in 2020, the Botanica photography series is still ongoing, and Christelle Boulé continues to work on it.

For a burst of color, visit the Orangery throughout the month of May!

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#WeTalkedAboutIt: Ô La Belle Vie: Check out the School of Medicine!

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On January 30, 2022, the France 3 program *Ô la belle vie* featured the Montpellier Faculty of Medicine in a special episode. Available on demand, you can learn about the history of this renowned center of learning, which has been in existence for 800 years, and its latest developments.

Join Professor Gérald Chanques and Sophie Jovillard as they take you on a tour of our Faculty’s treasures!

As part of the program *Ô la Belle Vie*, join Professor Gérald Chanques as he takes you on a journey to explore the inner workings of the world’s oldest medical school still in operation. Rabelais, Rondelet, and the school’s iconic landmarks will hold no more secrets for you. Combining art and technological innovation, the program will explore topics such as robotics and the work of ceramicist Isabelle Doblas Coutaud, who depicts anatomy through her art. Plus, you’ll get to take a quick trip to the Jardin des Plantes with Cédric Matet, creator of the exhibition“L’Humain dans son Jardin.” 

 

Learn more about this special program
Watch the replay

 

Ô la Belle Vie – Medicine in Montpellier: A True Art, produced by Grand Angle Production and France Télévisions.

Hosted by Sophie Jovillard. Aired on Sunday, January 30, 2022, and available to watch on demand here. 

 

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