The garden layout is inspired by the medieval tradition of 'labyrinths' designed for contemplation.
The collection includes a significant variety of rare and ancient rose cultivars.
The garden is situated within the grounds of the privately owned Chateau d'Yvoire, which remains closed to the public.
The site uses a 'sensory' classification system rather than purely taxonomic labels for its plant groupings.
The garden was designed by landscape architect Philippe Mérillon.
Many of the plant species were selected for their historical significance to the Savoie region.
The Jardin des Cinq Sens is a themed botanical garden located within the historic village of Yvoire on the shores of Lake Geneva. Originally the vegetable garden of the former 14th-century Yvoire Castle, the site was transformed into a sensory-focused landscape in the 1980s. The garden is organized into zones specifically designed to evoke sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. It features over 1,300 plant varieties, including medicinal herbs, ancient fruit trees, and flowering shrubs. The layout incorporates trellised mazes and structured hedges that emphasize the historical medieval garden design principles. It currently holds the 'Jardin Remarquable' label, an official status granted by the French Ministry of Culture. The site is maintained using ecological gardening practices, avoiding synthetic pesticides.
The central square of the garden featuring the woven-willow tunnel and stone water basins.
Visit during the morning to experience the strongest fragrances from the flowers before the heat of the day.
Use the provided sensory maps to identify which specific plants correspond to each of the five senses.
Plan to explore the surrounding medieval village streets after your garden tour.
Attempting to photograph the interior of the private castle grounds, which are strictly off-limits.
Open seasonally from spring through mid-autumn; closed during the winter months.
Stay on marked paths to protect the delicate plantings and refrain from touching flowers in restricted areas.
