GARDEN OF PERFUMES AND SPICES

In the wild south, in the middle of the Mare Longue forest, a tropical escape, friendly and lively, which is best visited with a guide. In 1989, the Fontaine family had the idea of transforming the orchard and forest surrounding their house into a botanical garden. Today, 1,500 species and varieties of plants inhabit the site, including specimens that are hundreds of years old. A must-see to understand the era of the Spice Route. Indeed, the origins of this garden go back to a much more distant time, when in 1783 Joseph Hubert proposed to Governor Joseph Baron de Souville, to colonize this region where the cultivation of spices seemed very promising: hot and humid climate, soil of volcanic origin only 800 years old on which grows a native flora called colored wood. Excellent teachers, Mathieu and Patrick know their subject and plunge you into the fascinating universe of the undergrowth, a mysterious world where vanilla trees are entangled in their lianas, where plants of cardamom, ravintsara, as well as rare endemic floral plants grow happily. The other part of the domain is dedicated to extensive agro-forestry production on 30 hectares. A store will allow you to buy many quality artisanal products cultivated on the spot or coming from partner farms: coffee, vanilla, spices, turmeric, pepper, ginger, jams, essential oils.