Botanical Explorations
Daydreams at the Serres d’Auteuil
Built at the end of the 19th century, at a time when winter gardens were in vogue, the Auteuil Greenhouses, located on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne in Paris, are a privileged place for lovers of old greenhouses and botany.
Their elegant glass and cast iron architecture, combined with a rich diversity of exotic plants, creates a peaceful atmosphere conducive to contemplation.
A timeless place that we particularly enjoyed during our spring visit.
History of the Auteuil Greenhouses
The Auteuil Greenhouses were built at the end of the 19th century. At that time, Paris was undergoing a major transformation under the impetus of Baron Haussmann. The need for green spaces open to the public was becoming increasingly important. Jean-Camille Formigé, the architect of the Promenades and Plantations of Paris, was then tasked with designing a space to offer Parisians a place open to all, dedicated to the acclimatization of exotic plants, which were very popular at the time.
Inspired by Beaux-Arts architecture, he designed elegant greenhouses with a cast-iron structure painted in the blue-green typical of the period. This blend of glass and metal creates an impression of lightness, and the design is conceived to showcase the plants while creating a pleasant space to visit. The botanical collections housed there bring both a scientific and aesthetic dimension.
The Auteuil greenhouses consist of about ten greenhouses of varying sizes and functions, each with a well-defined role. Originally, they included five historic greenhouses, made of glass and cast iron.
The Great Palm Greenhouse
With its 6,000 m², the large Palm House, or palmarium, is the most impressive. 100 meters long, it reaches a height of over 15 meters.
The pointed arches of the great nave not only bring elegance and height to the greenhouse, but they also allow for ventilation and heat regulation.
The greenhouse is divided into different climatic zones: tropical, subtropical - where the largest palm trees are found - and orangery.
The other greenhouses
Alongside the Great Greenhouse, other more specialized greenhouses house succulent plants, cacti, ferns, orchids, and even rare species.
Although smaller, these greenhouses share a similar architecture, with more intimate glass and cast iron structures.
The Auteuil greenhouses are much more than just a place for botanical conservation; they are a true invitation to explore the richness of nature through a unique architectural setting.
Jardin des Serres d'Auteuil
3 avenue de la Porte d'Auteuil
75016 Paris
