In Occitania there is a very special place, a corner of Asia in the heart of France and Europe: it is the Prafrance bamboo forest, an exceptional botanical garden with more than 1000 bamboos that every year, from mid-February to mid-November, takes visitors on a journey full of surprises and discoveries in full contact with nature.
Among the most charming gardens in the country, it was born in 1856 from the dream and determination of Eugenio Mazel, passionate about horticulture and natural sciences, who imports and transplants exotic species from Japan, China, the Himalayas and North America.
Upon his death, the estate was acquired by the NĂ©gre family who expanded it to the current 34 hectares, of which 15 are occupied by the magnificent park, which today is part of the prestigious Les Plus Beaux Jardins de France circuit.
A walk through the bamboo forest: what you can't miss
Walking in an oasis of greenery and peace, far from the frenzy and traffic of the city, is in itself an exciting experience, but to find yourself right here, in the presence of a majestic ginko biloba, well-kept Japanese gardens, redwoods, Chinese palm trees. and ponds of lotus flowers and water lilies is a regenerating dream.
The journey can start from âbamboo pathâ, majestic avenue shaded by giant bamboos that can reach 25 meters in height: next to them, also the sequoias that rise to more than 40 meters.
The sensation is that of "feeling small" in the face of so much amazement and truly ecstatic.
You then immerse yourself further in the exotic atmosphere as you meet the laotian people, faithful reconstruction of typical Lao houses made of bamboo and furnished with great detail to reflect, as faithfully as possible, the lifestyle of the small Southeast Asian country crossed by the Mekong River.
To recreate the exotic environment even better, you can admire them everywhere. pepper and coffee plants, bananas, Sugar cane, papaya and that taro, herbaceous plant of the Araceae family native to central-southern Asia.
And we're just getting started.
It is certainly fascinating farm, which dates back to the 1958th century, guarded by a huge chestnut tree and still marked by the traces of the great flood of the Gardon River in XNUMX: from here the Chinese palm road begins and you reach the most evocative area of ââthe forest, the Dragon Valley, large Japanese-style garden designed by landscape architect Erik Borja.
Lotus flowers, plants of a thousand colors, the 30-meter ginko biloba, the meandering stream on whose banks there is a wooden pagoda: everything combines to excite and create an ideal corner for meditation.
Again, to the right of the main avenue, here is the Eugene Pond Garden, a water garden with stone ponds containing delicate water lilies, and the Mazel Greenhouses, with Canary species, succulents and a rich collection of bonsais.
Finally, it is worth visiting the Labyrinth (obviously made of bamboo), the Garden Center where the fabulous plants that can be admired in the park are sold and the shop that sells various items, including infusions, furniture, stationery, beauty and the inevitable. Stop, bamboo.
Useful information
As we have already mentioned, the Bambouseraie de Prafrance is open every day. from mid-February to mid-November with schedules that vary depending on the season and can be consulted on the official website.
Entry is allowed up to 45 minutes before closing, but it is at least necessary to truly appreciate the bamboo forest. two hours.
The most comfortable way to get to the Bambouseraie is by car: starting from NĂźmes, the largest and least distant city, follow the N106 to AlĂšs and then take the D910 in the direction Anduze: once you reach the bridge over the Gardon d'Anduze, turn right onto the D129 and continue for 3 kilometers until you reach the park entrance, where there is free parking.
To avoid crowds, the best days are during the week and close to opening hours.
