Twenty minutes from La Bresse, the Haut-Chitelet Alpine Garden brings together 2,500 mountain plant species from around the world at 1,228 metres above sea level. It is one of the most unusual nature visits in the Hautes-Vosges, open from June to September.
A botanical garden at 1,228 metres
Set on the heights of the Col de la Schlucht along the Route des Crêtes, the Haut-Chitelet Alpine Garden is managed jointly by the Jean-Marie Pelt Botanical Garden in Nancy and the University of Lorraine, under the authority of Grand Nancy Métropole. It holds the “Jardin remarquable” (Remarkable Garden) label awarded by the French Ministry of Culture.
The guiding idea is straightforward and ambitious: gather in one place plants that normally grow at altitude, but scattered across every corner of the globe. The Alps, Pyrenees, Jura, Carpathians, Caucasus, Himalayas, North America, China, Japan — all the world’s great mountain regions are represented.
Collections from five continents
The garden covers approximately 1.5 hectares of landscaped rockeries, organised by geographic origin. Plants from the Alps and Pyrenees sit alongside Himalayan and North American species. The neighbouring Vosges peat bogs are also represented, with their characteristic ferns and sphagnum mosses.
The peak flowering season runs from June to August. This is when the majority of the 2,500 catalogued species are in bloom simultaneously, producing a range of colours and forms that surprises most visitors at this altitude.
The garden also contributes to conservation programmes: several rare Vosges flora species are cultivated here as part of scientific work carried out in partnership with the Parc naturel régional des Ballons des Vosges.
Practical information
Address: Col de la Schlucht, Route des Crêtes, 88400 Xonrupt-Longemer (1 km south of the pass).
Season: 1 June to 30 September.
Opening hours:
- June, July, August: 10 am to 6 pm
- September: 10 am to 12 pm and 1:30 pm to 5 pm
Admission:
- Full price: €6.10
- Reduced rate: €3.50 (seniors, groups, disabled visitors)
- Free: first Sunday of the month, under-26s, students, school groups
Contact: jardinduhautchitelet@grandnancy.eu — Tel. +33 3 29 63 31 46
Rules: no dogs, no flower picking, no bicycles inside the garden.
Getting there from La Bresse
From La Bresse, take the D34 towards Col de la Schlucht: approximately 15 km, or 20 to 25 minutes by car. The garden is on the Route des Crêtes, just past the pass in the direction of Hohneck. Parking is available on site.
In summer, the Col de la Schlucht is served by the Navette des Crêtes shuttle, making it easy to combine a visit to the garden with other activities on the ridges without worrying about parking.
Combining with nearby attractions
The location lends itself naturally to a full day on the heights. Col de la Schlucht and its hiking trails are just a few minutes on foot. The Sentier des Roches, one of the most spectacular equipped hikes in the Vosges, also starts from the pass. Further north, the Route des Crêtes offers numerous viewpoints and stopping points.
For a complete stay in the area, browse our chalets in La Bresse: an ideal base for exploring the Hautes-Vosges at your own pace.
Frequently asked questions
When do the plants bloom at Haut-Chitelet?
The most spectacular flowering period runs from June to August. The first flowers appear at opening time in early June, and summer offers the fullest palette, with alpine, Himalayan and Pyrenean plants all flowering at the same time.
Is the Haut-Chitelet Alpine Garden free?
No, entry is charged: full price €6.10, reduced rate €3.50 (seniors, groups, disabled visitors). Free entry on the first Sunday of each month, for under-26s, students and school groups.
How long does a visit take?
Allow between 1 and 2 hours for a relaxed visit. The site is open-air on gently sloping ground, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
How do I get to Haut-Chitelet from La Bresse?
From La Bresse, take the D34 towards Col de la Schlucht (approximately 15 km, 20 to 25 minutes). The garden sits on the Route des Crêtes, 1 km south of the pass. Parking is available on site.
Is the garden suitable for children?
Yes, it is a family-friendly visit. The collections are laid out across open-air rockeries and beds. A weekday morning is preferable to avoid weekend crowds.
What are the opening dates?
The garden is open from 1 June to 30 September. In June, July and August, hours are 10 am to 6 pm. In September, the garden is open 10 am to 12 pm and 1:30 pm to 5 pm.