The Botanical Garden of Deshaies is located on a 7-hectare property, which belonged to the humorist Coluche. He bought the property in 1979. Today, his house has been completely rebuilt. It is to the previous owner, Guy Blandin, that we owe the great variety of rare plants present in the botanical park. He was a nurseryman, a plant lover, and during his travels he brought back seeds from all over the world. Unfortunately, many of these plants disappeared after the passage of Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Michel Gaillard, a landscape nurseryman, friend of Coluche, creator of the profession of “interior landscaper” in metropolitan France, and initiator of the union of the same name, had established in Guadeloupe a nursery for the production of palm trees to supply his Parisian company. On June 19, 1985, Coluche asked Michel Gaillard to take care of and maintain his property in exchange for the use of the land to create his nursery. Unfortunately, one year later Coluche passed away. Because of his knowledge of the property and to preserve the memory of the artist, Michel Gaillard bought the property on October 1st 1991. The idea of creating a botanical garden followed, a real challenge for a passionate man.
After years of preparation, research and creation, the Botanical Garden of Deshaies opened on April 1, 2001. Built on 5 hectares, the designers, landscape professionals and nature lovers, have created a floral and animal park of great quality. On a 1,5km path, the Botanical Garden presents an impressive range of flowers and tropical plants, of more than 1.000 species, such as bougainvilleas, hibiscus, porcelain roses but also a great wealth of trees such as Fromager, Baobab and Mapou, Sausage tree, Bread tree, without forgetting the Talipot, unique palm tree in Guadeloupe. The park was conceived with the objective of making the visitors discover the richness of the flora of the Antilles, and the art to emphasize it. The park offers in 15 themes, a certain harmony and logic in the layout of the circuit.
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- The water lilies pond: Located at the entrance of the park, this artificial pond of more than 50m long and its magnificent collection of water lilies, papyrus and aquatic plants, among which evolve Koi carps.
- The aviary: Once through the security gate, about thirty Loriquets, small brightly colored Australian parrots, welcome visitors and do not hesitate to come and rest on their heads for a photo.
- The orchids: In a half-shade, half-sun passage, flowering orchids climb and intertwine on the trees. Different species offer a graceful and colorful show. Those who love these flowers know how fragile they are and will appreciate the beauty of the varieties presented.
- Hibiscus and bougainvillea: A colorful alley opens to visitors offering a remarkable palette of colors. The collection of varieties presented will not leave anyone indifferent.
- The arboretum: In a wide and airy space overlooking the Caribbean Sea, a multitude of trees make up the landscape: Royal Palms, Bombax, Baobab, Jacaranda, Breadfruit, Avocado, Calliandra and Araucaria.
- The Banyan Tree: Near the panoramic restaurant, this impressive tree with its shape and hundreds of aerial roots forming its trunk, was one of Coluche’s favorite places.
- The waterfall: 10 meters high, the waterfall mixes natural and artificial rocks overlooked by the restaurant, enchanting visitors who cross the basin by a small wooden bridge. The tradition is to throw a coin in the water in the hope of seeing your wishes come true.
- The pink flamingos: A few meters from the waterfall, a pond is reserved for 15 Cuban pink flamingos. They are the pioneers of a reintroduction of the species on the island. Indeed, before the 1940s, pink flamingos inhabited the region of Saint-Francis.
- The bamboos: A forest of bamboos stands in the landscape, isolating visitors from the rest of the park. Several meters high, they offer a place of charm and freshness. Various species are represented here like the Bambusa Vulgaris, the Multiplex, the Aztec.
- The torrent: A 60 meter long torrent accompanies the visitors all along the course bringing an atmosphere of serenity, amplified by the sound of the water, which flows at 150 m3/hour.
- The water wall: A vegetated water wall of 25 meters long surprises at the bend of a path by letting emerge aquatic plants such as water hyacinths with blue flowers, and many epiphytes plants (Bromeliads and Orchids).
- The village of the parrots: In this “village” composed of 6 small houses with local colors, the inhabitants are none other than ARAS parrots. These birds with their flamboyant plumage are presented in open enclosures and represent the symbol of the tropical and equatorial forest.
- The palm grove: An alley planted with different varieties of palm trees presents an idyllic aspect of the traditional island landscape. The Double Royal Palm impresses by its originality. The passage under an arbour where climbing plants evolve, is refreshing thanks to a misting system.
- The Talipot: This unique palm tree in Guadeloupe is originally from Sri Lanka. With a life span between 80 and 100 years, it dies after giving its only flower. The one in the park is about thirty years old and will offer its undeniable magnificence for a few decades. The largest of its leaves can weigh up to 50 kilos. Already, its offspring has joined it in the ground to ensure the succession.
- The cactus: From the lush vegetation of the islands, the route leads us into a desert and arid area. Dozens of species of cactus with spines of varying lengths stand in a Mexican setting, where Pachypodium (Madagascar palm) and Nolina beaucarnéa (elephant foot) cohabit.
- The fern alley: The designers of this botanical garden could not forget to present to the public the incredible beauty of tree ferns. As these ferns only bloom at an altitude of 500m, it was necessary to reconstitute the humid and cool climate of the mountain, by installing a computer-programmed irrigation system by misting. At the foot of these ferns, numerous bromeliads and epiphytic plants, such as philodendron giganteum, have been planted.
How to get to the Garden
Monday to Sunday, from 9 am to 4:30 pm. The park closes at 5:30 pm.
Ticket : adult 15,9 €, from 5 years old : 10,9 €, – 5 years old free
Accueil
villers Deshaies, 97126, Guadeloupe
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