I think every Monegasque has a memory tied to the Jardin Exotique de Monaco. A childhood visit, a sunset photo, a moment of vertigo descending into the cave… It’s the kind of place you assume will always be there. So when it closed in 2020 for renovation, I had this strange feeling that something was missing from the Monegasque landscape.

Good news: the Jardin Exotique reopened its doors on March 30, 2026. And after several years of work, it’s back more spectacular and more alive than ever.

Perched on a cliffside with an almost unreal view over the whole Principality and the Mediterranean, the Jardin Exotique remains one of the most magical spots in Monaco. We often forget just how exceptional this place is: inaugurated in 1933 under Prince Louis II, it’s now home to over 30,000 succulent plants and cacti from Mexico, Africa, and Central America.

And honestly? Even if you’ve been there ten times already, there’s always that moment where you stop in front of a giant cactus wondering how a plant can be so graphic. Everything here is photogenic. The suspended walkways, the curves of the cacti, the sweeping views over Monaco… it’s the kind of place you come to as much to breathe as to disconnect.

What I especially love about this new version is that it seems to have kept all of its soul while becoming warmer. The renovations made it possible to secure and modernize the route, without stripping it of its slightly timeless charm.

And then there are the new additions: a children’s garden, a picnic area, a snack space… You can feel a real intention to make the Jardin Exotique a place where you stay, where you take your time. Not just a tourist spot you tick off before moving on.

But my favorite spot will always be the Observatory Cave. That descent underground has something fascinating about it. Between the stalactites, the play of light, and the almost unreal silence, you completely forget you’re in the heart of Monaco.

Agathe’s tip: after the visit, check out the shop, a hidden gem for little gifts! Take a little break at the bar to share your impressions: the cactus syrup is surprisingly good!

Jardin Exotique de Monaco, 62 Bd du Jardin Exotique, +377 93.15.29.80 – Guided cave tours every hour – Plan your visit: www.jardin-exotique.mc