A sanctuary of tropicalbiodiversity

in Guadeloupe

In 1989, in the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo, Magguy Chaulet single-handedly created one of the island’s very first botanical gardens: the Jardin de Valombreuse. Thirty-five years later, its reputation rests as much on its commitment to local species as on the beauty of the site itself.

The Jardin de Valombreuse is a family affair. Driven by her love of nature, Magguy envisioned a sanctuary for Guadeloupe’s biodiversity. A visionary, she sensed the fertility of this land where local plants would thrive. The entire family pitched in to gradually develop the estate and breathe new life into it.

In 2006, the Jardin de Valombreuse was awarded the prestigious “Jardin remarquable” designation by the Ministry of Culture. This national distinction recognizes gardens of particular aesthetic, botanical, and heritage value.

It also recognizes the quality of maintenance, the richness of the plant collections, and efforts to educate the public. For the Jardin de Valombreuse, this designation recognizes years of work and commitment to promoting tropical biodiversity.

In 2020, following a few challenging years, the garden gained new momentum when Magguy’s nephew, Franck Chaulet, took over.

After a year of renovations, the garden has been reinvented: a larger team, redesigned trails, a 100% electric train to explore the site, the Maison de Magguy dedicated to preserving the memory and lifestyle of yesteryear, and a restaurant (La Badiane) to round out the visit on a pleasant note.

The garden also features conservation areas for flamingos, scarlet ibises, parakeets, and macaws.