Jungle Intérieure, Nantes

Gardens in Nantes

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Jean-Pierre Dalbéra

Tucked away in the courtyard of Passage Bouchaud near Place du Bouffay, Jungle Intérieure feels like a secret world suspended above the city. Created by artist Evor, this 600-square-metre garden spills across rooftops, balconies, and courtyards, weaving together more than 2,300 plant species in pots-from tree ferns and papyrus to cacti and rare specimens collected from around the globe. It is one of the best places to visit in Nantes if you love unexpected green spaces, creative reuse of urban corners, and that thrill of discovering somewhere most people walk past without noticing.

Since 2006, Evor has patiently built up this layered jungle, keeping it free of chemical fertilizers and sustained by an automatic drip irrigation system. The result is a living artwork that is as much about rhythm, patience, and care as it is about lush foliage. Now part of the permanent collection of Le Voyage à Nantes, Jungle Intérieure is open year-round, inviting visitors to climb a simple wooden staircase, look down into the canopy, and soak up the sense of calm that comes from being wrapped in green while still surrounded by city walls. It is often visited on walking tours of Nantes by travellers who enjoy seeking out the city's more intimate, creative corners.

History and Significance of the Jungle Intérieure
Things to See and Do in the Jungle Intérieure
How to Get to the Jungle Intérieure
Practical Tips on Visiting the Jungle Intérieure
Where to Stay close to the Jungle Intérieure
Is the Jungle Intérieure Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Jungle Intérieure
Nearby Attractions to the Jungle Intérieure

History and Significance of the Jungle Intérieure

Jungle Intérieure began as a deeply personal project. In 2006, artist Evor started installing potted plants in the courtyard of Passage Bouchaud and gradually expanded upwards onto balconies and rooftops. What could have remained a modest patio garden evolved, year by year, into a complex ecosystem and an immersive artwork, driven by the artist's curiosity, resilience, and desire to turn a forgotten space into something alive and meaningful.

From the start, the project was rooted in sustainable practices. The use of pots rather than open ground allowed total flexibility within a dense urban setting, while the choice to avoid chemical fertilizers reflected a commitment to gentle, long-term care over quick fixes. An automatic drip irrigation system was introduced to keep this sprawling collection healthy without wasting water, ensuring that the garden could thrive even in hot weather or when the artist was away.

Recognition by Le Voyage à Nantes, which integrated Jungle Intérieure into its permanent collection, formalised what many locals already felt: that this was more than a quirky private garden. It became an emblem of how art and nature can transform overlooked urban voids into spaces of beauty, reflection, and well-being. Today, Jungle Intérieure stands as a testament to what sustained attention and affection can achieve, even in the tightest of city courtyards.

Things to See and Do in the Jungle Intérieure

The first thing you notice at Jungle Intérieure is the density of the planting. Everywhere you look, pots overflow with foliage-tree ferns unfurling fronds, papyrus waving softly, spiky cacti catching the light, and rare plants that hint at far-off climates. There is no single focal specimen; instead, the garden works like a tapestry, rewarding slow looking as you pick out textures, leaf shapes, and subtle colour variations layered one over another.

A wooden staircase is your key to experiencing the installation fully. Climbing up, you gain an elevated viewpoint over rooftops and balconies, where you can appreciate how carefully the garden has been woven into the existing architecture. From above, the courtyard feels like a bowl of greenery, with foliage spilling from every ledge and railing. The interplay between terracotta pots, old stone, and exuberant plant life makes it clear that this is as much a piece of art as a botanical collection.

Take your time simply standing or sitting quietly within the space. Jungle Intérieure is about atmosphere as much as sight: the rustle of leaves, the contrast between cool shade and patches of sun, and the sense of being momentarily removed from the city's usual noise and haste. This spot is one of the best places to see in Jungle Intérieure if you are seeking a pause during a busy day in Nantes-somewhere to breathe, reset, and notice how a single courtyard can hold an entire world.

How to Get to the Jungle Intérieure

Jungle Intérieure is located in the courtyard of Passage Bouchaud, just a short walk from Place du Bouffay in central Nantes, making it easy to combine with other nearby sights in the historic core. If you are arriving by air, Nantes Atlantique Airport lies southwest of the city and is linked to the centre by shuttle buses and other public transport in around 20-30 minutes, after which you can continue on foot or by tram toward Bouffay and Passage Bouchaud. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Nantes on Booking.com.

For train travellers, Nantes' main railway station offers TGV and regional connections from cities such as Paris, Rennes, and Bordeaux. You can use SNCF Connect to check schedules, compare routes, and purchase tickets for National (SNCF ) and regional trains (TER). For a more streamlined experience, we recommend using Omio, which allows you to easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for both National and Regional travel across all of Europe, all in one place. From the station, you can walk into the city centre in about 15-20 minutes or hop on a tram to a stop near Bouffay, then follow the narrow streets to Passage Bouchaud and its hidden courtyard.

If you are coming by car, follow signs for Nantes centre and use one of the nearby car parks around the château, cathedral, or Cours des 50 Otages; from there, it is a short stroll through the pedestrian-friendly streets to Place du Bouffay and Passage Bouchaud. If you are looking to rent a car in France I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you. Given the compact centre and frequent trams, many visitors find it easiest to leave the car parked and explore this part of the city on foot.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Jungle Intérieure

Suggested tips: Approach Jungle Intérieure slowly and quietly, treating it as a space for contemplation rather than a quick photo stop; you will notice far more details that way.
Best time to visit: Daytime visits work well year-round, but late morning or mid-afternoon light tends to show off the foliage best; in summer, early visits can be cooler and quieter.
Entrance fee: Free to visit as part of the public Le Voyage à Nantes route
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 19:00. Closed Sundays and public holidays
Official website: https://www.levoyageanantes.fr/oeuvres/jungle-interieure/
How long to spend: Allow 20-40 minutes to wander, climb the staircase, and spend a few unhurried minutes simply standing or sitting among the plants.
Accessibility: Access to the courtyard is relatively straightforward, but the wooden staircase to the elevated viewpoint involves steps and may not be suitable for all visitors; the ground-level view still offers plenty to enjoy.
Facilities: There are no dedicated facilities in the courtyard itself, but cafés, bars, shops, and public toilets are available nearby around Place du Bouffay.
Photography tip: Instead of wide shots only, focus on compositions that contrast leaves with stone, metal railings, and rooftops; close-ups of water droplets or shadows can capture the garden’s intimate feel.
Guided tours: Some Le Voyage à Nantes routes and guided city walks mention or include Jungle Intérieure, adding context about Evor's work, urban ecology, and the passage's history.
Nearby food options: Once you have finished exploring, head into the Bouffay district, where you will find plenty of crêperies, wine bars, and small restaurants within a few minutes’ walk.

Where to Stay close to the Jungle Intérieure

Staying near Jungle Intérieure means you are right by Place du Bouffay and the lively historic centre, with cobbled lanes, bars, and key sights all within a short stroll. For a central base with easy access to both Bouffay and the château area, L'Hôtel - Face au Château offers comfortable rooms just across from the Château des Ducs de Bretagne and a pleasant walk from Passage Bouchaud. If you prefer a slightly more contemporary vibe while remaining close to trams and shopping streets, Hôtel La Pérouse Nantes makes a handy base from which you can quickly wander down into Bouffay. For a quieter, residential feel with easy reach of the Old Town and Jungle Intérieure, Hôtel Chateaubriand offers a cosy, good-value option.

Is the Jungle Intérieure Worth Visiting?

Jungle Intérieure is absolutely worth seeking out, especially if you are drawn to offbeat, creative spaces that reveal a different side of a city. It is not a blockbuster attraction in terms of size or crowds, but that is precisely its charm: a layered, personal, and lovingly maintained garden that turns a once-overlooked courtyard into a small paradise. As an artwork, it blurs the lines between gardening, sculpture, and architecture; as a place, it offers a quiet pause in the middle of a busy historic district. For travellers who enjoy discovering hidden corners and seeing how art and nature can reshape urban life, Jungle Intérieure is one of the must-see places in Nantes.

FAQs for Visiting Jungle Intérieure

Where exactly is Jungle Intérieure located in Nantes?
Jungle Intérieure is in the courtyard of Passage Bouchaud, close to Place du Bouffay in the historic centre of Nantes.

Do I need a ticket or reservation to visit Jungle Intérieure?
In general, no ticket or reservation is required, as it is part of the permanent Le Voyage à Nantes route, though it is always wise to check current information during major events.

Is Jungle Intérieure suitable for children?
Yes, children often enjoy spotting different plants and exploring the stairway views, but they should be supervised around steps and railings.

Can I visit Jungle Intérieure in bad weather?
Light rain can make the garden feel even more atmospheric, but paths and steps may be slippery, so good footwear and a bit of caution are recommended.

Nearby Attractions to the Jungle Intérieure

Place du Bouffay: The lively medieval square at the heart of the Old Town, packed with bars, restaurants, and historic façades.
Château des Ducs de Bretagne and Nantes History Museum: A former ducal fortress housing the city's main history museum, just a short walk away.
Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul de Nantes: The city's Gothic cathedral with a bright nave and the tomb of François II, easily reached on foot.
Passage Pommeraye: A stunning 19th-century covered arcade with a grand staircase, boutiques, and a glass roof, a pleasant stroll from Jungle Intérieure.
Mémorial de l'Abolition de l'Esclavage: A powerful riverside memorial on the Quai de la Fosse, reflecting on Nantes' role in the Atlantic slave trade.

The Jungle Intérieure appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Nantes!

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