The 3 most beautiful botanical gardens to visit within 30 minutes of Latitude 21

You only have to move away from the coast a few kilometers for the landscape to change tone. The palm trees bordering the lagoon give way to lush paths where the rarest species of Reunion Island flourish.

In these green oases, the flora tells the island’s plant history as well as any museum.

And for those staying in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, each botanical garden becomes a refreshing interlude to enjoy between two swims.

Endemic trees, medicinal plants, rare collections or ancient fruit trees: these treasures are revealed less than 30 minutes away by car.

What if you made this green getaway one of the highlights of your stay?

Latitude 21, your luxury hotel in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains , invites you to discover the most beautiful botanical gardens in the region.

>>> I discover all the excursions around Saint-Gilles-les-Bains

The Garden of Eden: a plant sanctuary in the heart of the Hermitage

Just a few minutes from the center of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, the Jardin d’Éden is much more than a haven of freshness.
It is a botanical garden in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains that combines English elegance and the ancestral secrets of medicinal plants.

Walking through its shaded paths, you will discover more than 700 species (some rare, others sacred) spread between rice fields, a Zen garden, a collection of cacti and a palm grove.

A nature walk in Saint-Gilles where each panel reveals the spiritual or therapeutic role of Reunion’s flora.

The garden also offers thematic tours for children and an explanatory booklet which adds to the richness of the visit.
It is the ideal place for a tourist activity in Reunion , between botanical discovery and a peaceful interlude.

The Mascarin Garden: a conservatory in the heights

You have to climb to the heights of Saint-Leu , at an altitude of 500 metres, to reach this spectacular garden.

The Mascarin Garden in Saint-Leu , also called the National Botanical Conservatory of Reunion, spreads its 12.5 hectares around an old Creole residence.

The ocean view is exceptional, but it is on the ground that the gaze lingers. Each space tells a story of a part of the territory: the Creole orchard, the old-fashioned plants , the orchids or even the bamboo grove.

The garden works actively to preserve the endemic plants of Reunion Island, and regularly offers guided tours led by specialists .

For both the curious and the passionate, this tropical garden in Reunion Island is a precious immersion into an often little-known plant world.

The Grilled Coffee Estate: a living collection between land and culture

In Saint-Pierre, just over an hour’s drive away, Domaine du Café Grillé is worth a stop if you’re heading south.
More than a garden, it is an immersive botanical journey centered on the history of coffee, from slave to barista.

There you will find fragrant plants , exotic fruit trees, spices and ornamental shrubs, arranged in a contemporary garden with neat lines.

Here is what you can admire there:

• A remarkable palm grove , ideal for photography
• A sensory trail around vetiver and bourbon pointu coffee
• A giant bamboo grove , a haven of freshness
• A greenhouse with permanently blooming orchids
• A coffee space where you can enjoy freshly roasted aromas

A perfect detour to extend your discovery of the gardens to visit in Reunion , while enriching your view of the local heritage.

Gardens as an extension of tropical luxury

These Saint-Gilles-les-Bains botanical gardens are a natural part of the Réunion Island way of life. They reflect another facet of the island, one of contemplation, meaning, and memory.

For travelers looking for an authentic experience, they are a precious breath of fresh air between two lazy sessions. Especially since they are all located in the immediate vicinity of Latitude 21 , your luxury hotel in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains .

What if cultivated nature became the common thread of your next stay?

A quiet itinerary, between flamboyant trees and orchids, at the heart of the most refined botanical garden visit on the island.

>>> I’m looking at all the ideas for activities to do near the hotel