The Botanical Garden of Geneva: 200 years of history

It is to the Geneva botanist Augustin-Pyramus de Candolle (1778-1841) that we owe the creation of the Botanical Garden of Geneva, in 1817. Over 200 years of milestones.

Very quickly cramped in the heart of the city

Initially situated in the heart of Geneva, at the foot of the ramparts of the old town in the current Parc des Bastions, the garden moved to gain more space. In 1904, a building was constructed on the site called La Console to house the herbaria and the library. The Botanical Garden then covered an area of 7.5 hectares in the Parc de l’Ariana.

Gradual construction

In 1908 and 1911 the greenhouses and orangery were built.

Between 1954 and 1978 the garden grew to 18 hectares by acquiring neighbouring properties. Today you can walk through 28 hectares of nature, a stone’s throw from the city and the lake.

In 1971 and 1974 new buildings were erected to house two-thirds of the collection of herbaria and all of the library.

A commitment taken up with enthusiasm

For 200 years the Conservatory and Botanical Garden of Geneva (CJBG) have pursued their mission with dedication, following in the footsteps of the founders.
The aim is to explore the botanical heritage by conducting scientific research projects.
Conserving species, whether alive in the garden or dried in the herbarium.
Researching and advancing knowledge of the plant world, particularly through systematics, floristics and population genetics.
Transmitting the knowledge acquired by observing the botanical heritage: issuing various publications, presenting collections and themed exhibitions. Instruction is available for different audiences: trainees, apprentices or people completing their civilian service in the garden; academics in cryptogamic, phanerogamic or systematic research laboratories; school students and the wider public interested in themed guided tours or awareness workshops.
Protecting the plant world in three ways: establishing a red list of endangered species to then collect and multiply endangered species, and providing solutions for invasive species. Communicating enthusiasm for the plant world and raising awareness of the fragility of species, so as to contribute to the overall momentum for protecting nature.

A garden, concentrated nature and a research tool

The CJBG offers its many visitors a place of beauty and relaxation, of awareness for the conservation of nature that is too often threatened, all while carrying out many regional, national and international research programmes using the most modern techniques (satellite remote sensing, molecular biology, territorial information systems, in vitro cultivation, automated DNA sequencing) for these investigations.

Très vite à l’étroit en pleine ville

Tout d’abord situé au cœur de Genève, au pied des remparts de la vieille-ville, dans l’actuel parc des Bastions, notre jardin déménage pour gagner en espace. En 1904, un bâtiment est construit au lieu-dit La Console pour abriter les herbiers et la bibliothèque. Le jardin botanique s’étend alors sur une surface de 7,5 hectares dans le parc de l’Ariana.

Une construction progressive

En 1908 et 1911, les serres et l’orangerie sont construites.

Entre 1954 et 1978, le jardin s’agrandit à 18 hectares, grâce à l’acquisition des domaines voisins. Aujourd’hui, on peut se promener sur 28 hectares de nature, à deux pas de la ville et du lac.

En 1971 et 1974, de nouveaux bâtiments sont édifiés pour accueillir les deux tiers de la collection d’herbiers et toute la bibliothèque.

Un jardin, concentré de nature et outil de recherche

Nous offrons à nos nombreux visiteur·euse·s un espace de beauté et de détente, de sensibilisation à la conservation d’une nature trop souvent menacée, tout en menant de nombreux programmes de recherche régionaux, nationaux ou internationaux, utilisant pour nos investigations les techniques les plus modernes telles que télédétection satellitaire, biologie moléculaire, systèmes d’information du territoire ou séquençage automatique d’ADN.