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Jardin des Cinq Sens

A plant maze inspired by medieval gardens, with over 1,500 varieties of plants spread across five sensory gardens dedicated to taste, smell, touch, sight, and hearing.

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Plant maze of the Jardin des Cinq Sens in Yvoire, with hedgerows and espalier apple trees
Krzysztof Golik · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
Type
Sensory landscaped garden
Access
Paid
Price
From €8.50 (child 6–18 years) · Adult €15
Duration
1 to 2 hours on site
Best season
April to October (closed Nov–Mar)
Parking
Paid 300 m away (pedestrian village)
Animals
Not allowed (except guide dogs)
Town
Yvoire
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible (accompaniment recommended)
Wheelchair access
Partially accessible · Jardin accessible en fauteuil assis ; accompagnant recommandé (allées parfois étroites et gravillonnées, deux sections en pente supérieure aux normes). Chiens guides admis. per Site officiel Jardin des Cinq Sens

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What is Jardin des Cinq Sens

The Jardin des Cinq Sens is a 2,600 m² landscaped garden located in the heart of the medieval town of Yvoire, on the shores of Lake Geneva. Created in 1988 by Yves and Anne-Monique d'Yvoire in the former vegetable garden of the castle, it is classified as a Remarkable Garden by the French Ministry of Culture and is a member of the Most Beautiful Gardens of France association. The garden is inspired by medieval labyrinths and organizes its spaces around five intimate gardens dedicated to the five senses: the Garden of Taste, the Garden of Smell, the Garden of Touch, the Garden of Sight, and the Garden of Hearing (represented by the murmur of water and the song of birds).

The maze is composed of hedgerows and espalier apple trees that define chambers of greenery. Each thematic space showcases a collection of plants chosen for their sensory, medicinal, or edible properties: 25 varieties of mint, 25 of sage, 50 of fragrant pelargoniums, alpine plants, heirloom vegetables, espalier fruit trees, and old roses. Over 1,500 plant varieties are cultivated by a passionate team of gardeners led since 2009 by Matthieu Constans, head gardener. The garden welcomes approximately 40,000 visitors per year.

The garden is divided into two sections: the first includes an alpine meadow (a nod to the mountainous environment), a woodland of shade plants, a Renaissance-inspired weaving pattern, and a hedge cloister. The second section, below, houses the chambers of greenery and the five sensory gardens. Each visitor receives an explanatory map at the entrance, and a discovery quiz is offered to children to learn while having fun. Free guided tours are organized during the season (schedule on the official website). Yvoire village itself is ranked among France's Most Beautiful Villages, making it an unmissable destination in Haute-Savoie for those who love combining medieval heritage with exceptional gardens.

Activities

What you can do here

Practical

Practical information

Address
12 rue du Lac, 74140 Yvoire View on map
Contact
+33 4 50 72 88 80
Hours
Summer (10 Apr – 7 Sept 2026): Daily 10:00 AM–6:30 PM (ticket office closes 5:30 PM). Autumn (8 Sept – 4 Oct 2026): Daily 10:00 AM–5:30 PM (ticket office closes 4:30 PM). Annual closure early October through mid-April. Verified on official website 6 June 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
Prices
Adult €15. Child 6–18 years €8.50. Free under 6 years. Family Pass (2 adults + 2 children) €38.50. Additional child €5. Student (under 26) €11. Person with disability / companion €11. Season pass €25 (unlimited entry April–October). Verified 6 June 2026.
Booking
Recommended during peak season (July–August). Online ticketing at jardin5sens.net. Tickets also available at the entrance desk.
Parking
Paid approximately 300 m from the garden (pedestrian village)
Animals
Not allowed (including on leash, in a bag, or in arms). Only guide dogs are accepted.
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible (accompaniment highly recommended: narrow gravel paths, two passages with slopes exceeding accessibility guidelines)
Visit duration
Minimum 1 hour to enjoy all aspects. Some visitors stay 2 hours or longer. You can leave to have lunch and return later in the day.
Info
jardin5sens.net · +33 4 50 72 88 80 · Group reservations (12+ people): contact via form on website
Access

How to get there

By car

From Thonon-les-Bains (~12 km, 20 min): take the D25 toward Yvoire. From Geneva (~25 km, 30 min): A40 exit 15 Vallée Verte, then D25. The village is pedestrian-only. Paid parking approximately 300 m from the garden.

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Public transport

Bus line 271 Thonon – Yvoire – Douvaine (regular service, schedule at yvoire.fr). CGN boat (Compagnie Générale de Navigation) from Nyon and Geneva in season (cgn.ch).

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By bike

Accessible via the greenway running along Lake Geneva from Yvoire (ViaRhôna route nearby).

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Parking

Paid 300 m away (pedestrian village)

  • Free · 100 m · Go →
  • Cité Médiévale · Paid · 179 m · 300 spaces · Go →
  • Autocars · Paid · 195 m · Go →

Parking checked on 2026-06-15 · © les contributeurs d'OpenStreetMap sous licence ODbL

When to visit

When to visit

The garden is open from April through early October, with annual closure from November through mid-April. Spring (April–May) offers apple tree blossoms, tree peonies, akebia, and cornflowers. Summer (June–August) is peak season: high visitor numbers, all flower beds in full bloom, fragrances of roses and aromatic plants at their peak. Autumn (September–early October) is quieter, with changing colors (crape myrtle, autumn foliage, asters). The visit is pleasant throughout the season, but gardeners recommend mornings to enjoy the dew and fragrances. On weekdays outside school holidays, the garden is less crowded.
Events : The garden occasionally organizes themed guided tours (gardening techniques, medicinal plants, garden history), a spring plant market, and children's workshops in summer. Program and dates on the official website or by contacting the team. The garden regularly hosts television programs (France 5 "Silence, ça pousse") and photographers for features.
Nearby

Where to eat, drink, stay

Photos

Gallery

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do I book the Jardin des Cinq Sens?

Online booking is available at jardin5sens.net (ticket office). It is recommended during peak season (July–August). You can also purchase your ticket directly at the Jardin des Cinq Sens entrance desk on the day of your visit.

What is the price of the Jardin des Cinq Sens?

The adult price for the Jardin des Cinq Sens is €15. Children 6–18 years: €8.50. Free for children under 6. Family Pass (2 adults + 2 children): €38.50. Student (under 26): €11. Season pass (unlimited entry April–October): €25. Verified 6 June 2026.

What are the hours for the Jardin des Cinq Sens?

The Jardin des Cinq Sens is open daily 10 April to 7 September 2026 from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM (ticket office closes at 5:30 PM). 8 September to 4 October 2026: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM (ticket office closes at 4:30 PM). Annual closure early October through mid-April. Verified on official website 6 June 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.

Are dogs allowed at the Jardin des Cinq Sens?

No. Dogs and other pets are not allowed at the Jardin des Cinq Sens, including those on leash, in a bag, or in your arms. Only guide dogs are authorized to accompany their owner.

Is the Jardin des Cinq Sens accessible by wheelchair?

Yes. The Jardin des Cinq Sens is wheelchair accessible for seated users, but accompaniment is highly recommended: paths are narrow and graveled, and two passages have slopes exceeding accessibility guidelines. The sensory nature of the visit allows everyone to experience the garden.

How long does a visit to the Jardin des Cinq Sens take?

It takes approximately 1 hour to fully enjoy the Jardin des Cinq Sens: to touch textures, smell fragrances, and admire the spaces. Some visitors spend more than 2 hours observing all varieties. You can stay as long as you wish. It is possible to leave for lunch and return later in the day.

Is there a quiz for children at the Jardin des Cinq Sens?

Yes. The Jardin des Cinq Sens offers a free discovery quiz for children to learn while having fun. Children under 6 visit the garden free of charge, and a special family rate (2 adults + 2 children: €38.50) is available.

Where can I park to visit the Jardin des Cinq Sens?

The village of Yvoire is pedestrian-only. Paid parking is available approximately 300 meters from the Jardin des Cinq Sens. During peak season (July–August), it is recommended to arrive early in the morning to find parking easily.

Can I visit Yvoire and the Jardin des Cinq Sens on the same day?

Yes, it's ideal! The Jardin des Cinq Sens is located in the heart of the medieval village of Yvoire, ranked among France's Most Beautiful Villages. Allow 1 to 2 hours for the garden, then stroll through the medieval alleyways, visit the ramparts, and enjoy the shores of Lake Geneva. A full day is perfect to discover everything.

Sources

Sources & verification

Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.

Published 14 mai 2026·Updated 6 juin 2026

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