CactiGuide.com

The Botanical Garden of Foncaude is located in the commune of Feuilla in the extreme south east of the department of Aude in France. The garden was founded in 1991 by Dominique Jalabert. He and his son Jérémy are the care keepers of the entire domain, which is divided into 3 parts and measures 7 hectares. The first part is an arboretum with nearly 300 species of trees and shrubs and is also a bird refuge. The second part is home to more than 340 wild or introduced species endemic to the Mediterranean. Third are the cacti and succulent rock gardens spread across the entire domain. There are about 1300 species and more than 8000 plants. The garden is characterised by it’s semi-wildness, which becomes very apparent when climbing one of the two hills. Occasionally a path is obstructed by e.g. an overgrown Agave, of which they have over 200 species. The garden is full of amazing smells and has a constant flow of wind. Dominique and Jérémy explained the garden is mainly an experiment in microclimates. They only water a young plant in it’s first year(s) of development. Afterwards, they leave it up to Mother Nature. If a plant does not do well, they either try another spot in the garden or stop growing it. They get their water from a nearby stream and several wells, but at the moment water is scarce.
ID'S
7. not yet identified
8. Oreocereus celsianus
10. Cylindropuntia imbricata
11. not yet identified
12. Ferocactus echidne
13. Ferocactus stainesii pilosus
14. Opuntia microdasys
15. not yet identified

ID'S
16. not yet identified
17. Euphorbia resinifera
18. not yet identified
19. Cylindropuntia imbricata
21. not yet identified
22. not yet identified
23. Astrophytum myriostigma
25. Agave victoriae-reginae
26. Echinocereus nicholii
27. not yet identified
30. Sedum sediforme

Wow! Great! Very promicing garden, many thanks for sharing pictures!
I'd also like to have a plot of bare land somewhere in Mediterranean to plant my cacti in the ground.

Really nice. Loved looking at the photos. Wish I could visit.

You definitely need a car to get here. The closest supermarket is 15 km away. His personal watersupply is also from the well and stream and his power supply is from solar panels. Once a year there is a downpour so intense he, his wife and their animals have to find refuge in the lighttunnel, where he also overwinters his personal collection of succulents. But yeah… so beautiful.

Cool, thanks for sharing!

This garden really is an interesting place with maybe mild climate appropriate for many succulents despite of some snow in winter.
http://lejardinbotaniquedefoncaude.e-monsite.com/album/
Remote location is not a problem but maybe gives more chances for the plans to survive and even thrive.

Will be interesting to see this place in 20 years

Hi Everyone,

I've added id's as much as possible. Over the next weeks I will try to complete the list.

Thanks you, Ohugal, very nice pictures. This way we "poor Europeans" can get an idea how cacti might look in the wild.
Next time I drive to France, that is definitively on my list.

....but: Are they still operating? -- Their internet site seems to be blocked...?
N.

Ah this place brings back memories! Lying in the grass amongst the succulents, palms, ...
Can't immediately find the website, but there are pictures on their Facebook dating from end of June. I guess they're still active. There is also contact information on their Facebook. If you plan a visit it's always good to call a few weeks in advance and shortly before you go to make sure they're there. The father is quite old, but has his son to help him. The father told me he never goes on holiday. I think the son studies reptiles and also released several snake and lizards in to the park. I did not see any. I highly recommend the place. At the time we were staying in Bages, close to Narbonne and about 80km from Foncaude, Feuilla.

ohugal wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 6:18 am <...> son studies reptiles and also released several snake and lizards in to the park. I did not see any. I highly recommend the place. <...>

PS I like them!

...a couple of courses more to get there.