Just five minutes from Anduze, while in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, I went to a unique and exotic attraction, well worth a visit – a bamboo forest and natural park, created in 1856 by a famous botanist.
The bamboo forest is a spectacular site, including japanese gardens and houses made of bamboo. I learned that bamboo grows 1 meter (about 3 feet) in just one day and becomes “an adult” in about 2-3 months; I was equally surprised at the various types of colors and patterns (photos below). There was a lot to take in, while strolling and enjoying the natural surroundings, both relaxing and invigorating at the same time. Near the park exit, there is a very chic souvenir shop, with all kinds of useful merchandise in all price ranges. (I bought some bamboo-patterned napkins.)
The Bamboo Plantation in Figures
- Size: the park has a surface area of 12 hectares. (about 26 acres)
- 4th largest arboretum in France: the park has approximately 200 varieties of bamboo and many spectacular trees (The Bambouseraie is classed as a European Conservatory for its collection of Phyllostachys – bamboo, by the CCVS (Conservatory of Specialized Vegetal Collections).
- The most visited Garden in France (with Villandry): 360,000 visitors per year, of which 20% come from abroad.
- Most visited natural site in the Gard.
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