Alpine Botanical Garden "la Jaÿsinia

This alpine botanic garden was set up in 1906 by Marie-Louise Cognac-Jaÿ who founded La Samaritaine department store in Paris. It is an exceptional garden.
The garden closed during the winter period, gathers 4800 mountain plants, divided into 2500 species.
The Alpine Botanical Garden is situated on the southern mountainside overlooking the village. Covering an area of 3,7 hectares, La Jaÿsinia is situated on a steeply rising terrain (80 meters of vertical rise). This jewel of the Alps has 2500 species of mountain flora from the five continents. A total of 4,800 plants from all over the world make up this unique mountain botanical garden.
Since 1936, it has been under the scientific direction of the National Museum of Natural History (Botanical and Zoological Gardens Department). The garden is also equipped with a laboratory open to scientists. A laboratory that has a collection of plants from Savoie and the Alps in herbariums.

An outstanding natural setting at the heart of France's heritage, the "La Jaÿsinia" garden in the Haut-Savoyard village of Samoëns is an exception in itself. It is characterized by impressive water fountains and waterfalls and tree scenery. La Jaÿsinia is also known for the ruins of La Tornalta Castle, also known as Montanier Castle (12th century) and an 18th-century chapel. All these places can be seen from the small bucolic path that meanders through the garden. At the same time a place of study and a true oasis of peace where you can come and recharge your batteries, it is a must-see when you come to stay in Samoëns. To visit it is also to immerse yourself in the famous local history.

On the 1st of July 1838, a little Septimontaine named Marie Louise Jaÿ was born, whose destiny was to mark the village and...the capital!
At the age of 15, the young girl left the village to try her luck in Paris. There she met Ernest Cognacq, whom she later married. Together, they founded "La Samaritaine". The success was immediate. Running an immense fortune, childless, Marie Louise and Ernest devoted the end of their lives to charity and never forgot Madame's native village. Thus, in 1906, Marie-Louise Cognacq-Jaÿ created the botanical garden of La Jaÿsinia. Once you reach the top of the garden, the view of the village is breathtaking. A hike and a panorama that is worthy of the most beautiful paintings by romantic landscape painters. As for the thousands of species of plants and flowers, they will delight your senses!