The label commits the owners to ensure a regular maintenance of their garden, to open it to the visit at least 40 days in the year and 6h per day, to participate at least in a national operation (Rendez-vous to the gardens and/or the European Heritage Days), to make available to the public documents of information (plan, history, botanical indications) and to affix in a place visible to the public an enamelled plate repeating the logo of the label «Remarkable garden». The garden is mentioned in the documents of valorization and communication disseminated by the Ministry of Culture.
Mascarin, botanical garden of Reunion
2 rue du Père Georges, route des Coliçons, Saint-Leu
Located in Saint-Leu, now owned by the department of Reunion, the Mascarin Botanical Garden is located on the former estate of the Chateauvieux family. Marquis Armand de Chateauvieux set up an agricultural estate on this land, at an altitude of 500 m, in 1857. He introduced a variety of crops, such as tea, Chateauvieux onion or cider apples.
The site has been part of the departmental community since 1987. It was first managed by the association Conservatoire Botanique de Mascarin which set up the botanical collections, while ensuring missions of knowledge and valorization. The management of the garden was taken over by the Réunion department in 2014.
On a land of thirty hectares, eight of which are open to the public, the garden gathers botanical collections allowing to know and value the plant heritage of Reunion, respecting biodiversity. The former house of the estate currently houses a reception area and exhibition rooms, agricultural outbuildings. The garden’s 4,000 plants are divided into eight botanical collections: «lontan plants», «creole orchard», «Reunion collection (endemic species), «aquatic plant pool», «world coffee trees», «succulent collection», «palms», «orchids and ferns».
The application submitted by the department of La Réunion to the services of the Direction des affaires culturelles de La Réunion was studied by the working group in charge of the «Remarkable Garden» label. This working group is composed of representatives of the State, the region and qualified personalities in the field of gardens. The criteria considered are aesthetic, botanical and historical interest, as well as garden maintenance and pedagogy and communication. After the review of the working group, the selected gardens are subject to a decision of the regional prefect for the award of the label «Remarkable Garden». The working group particularly appreciated the interest of the botanical collections, as well as the composition and aesthetics of Mascarin, botanical garden of Reunion.
Contacts DAC of the Meeting
Regional conservation of historical monuments. In charge of documentary studies: clemence.preault@culture.gouv.fr
Communication and Media: francoise.kersebet@culture.gouv.fr