Nestled behind tall leafy walls, at the foot of the Château d’Yvoire, lies an unexpected place, out of time and turmoil: the Jardin des Cinq Sens, classified as a Remarkable Garden by the Ministry of Culture. This true green gem, inspired by medieval enclosed gardens, offers a rare immersive experience where each sense is invited to awaken, through a poetic and sensory journey unique in its kind.
A garden inspired by the Middle Ages… designed for today
Created in the 1980s within the grounds of the old vegetable gardens of Château d’Yvoire, the Jardin des Cinq Sens draws inspiration from medieval monastic gardens: enclosed, structured, symbolic. It is designed as a human-scale plant labyrinth, where visitors move from one space to another, guided not by arrows but by their own perceptions.
More than 1,500 plant varieties coexist here, arranged according to their virtues, colors, scents, or textures. The visit does not follow a strict order: it is your curiosity that guides you, through a path conducive to slow and attentive discovery.
A sensory walk in five dimensions
As its name suggests, this garden unlike any other is entirely designed to stimulate the five senses:
Sight
The harmony of colors, the layout of the paths, the geometry of the hedges, the reflections in the ponds… Here, everything is designed for the eye, which oscillates between soothing symmetry and floral surprises.
Smell
From old roses to aromatic plants, through fragrant foliage, the air is constantly filled with subtle fragrances, sometimes soft, sometimes powerful.
Hear
The murmur of a fountain’s water, the rustling of leaves, the discreet song of a bird: this garden is also a place of inhabited silence, contrasting with the village’s hustle and bustle.
Touch
From the rough textures of bark to the softness of plant velvet, visitors are invited to touch certain plants in areas dedicated to tactile exploration.
Taste
In some zones, edible plants are displayed — but tasting is of course reserved for guided tours or the shop. Nonetheless, the sense of taste is omnipresent through medicinal, aromatic, or vegetable plants.
The different areas of the garden
The Jardin des Cinq Sens is divided into several themed areas, each with its own ambiance:
- The plant cloister, the true heart of the garden, evokes the old monastic cloisters with its perfectly trimmed hedges
- The medicinal garden presents the “simples,” those plants with therapeutic virtues used in the Middle Ages
- The perfume garden, lush, celebrates the sense of smell with rare and powerful essences
- The labyrinth garden, playful and symbolic, invites you to get lost a little to better marvel
- The taste garden, where vegetable and fruit plants evoke the link between nature and food
Every corner of the garden is designed as a living stage, changing with the seasons, the blooms, and the light over Lake Léman.
An experience adapted to all audiences
The Jardin des Cinq Sens appeals to:
- Adults seeking calm and contemplation
- Families, thanks to playful and sensory supports for children
- Botany enthusiasts, who discover rare species
- Curious heritage lovers, sensitive to the medieval spirit of the place
Guided tours are offered in season, as well as discovery booklets for the youngest.
Practical information
- Address: Rue du Lac, in the center of Yvoire, just steps from the castle
- Open from April to October, weather permitting
- Average visit duration: 1 to 1.5 hours
- Paid entry, tickets available on site or online
- Accessibility: partially accessible for people with reduced mobility
- Stroller access largely possible
- Website: https://jardin5sens.net/
Good to know: the garden also has a plant shop at the exit, with products made from the garden’s plants, books, and objects inspired by the medieval universe.
The Jardin des Cinq Sens d’Yvoire is not just a simple garden to visit: it is an experience to live, a suspended moment between nature, art, heritage, and sensations. Just steps from the ramparts, this haven of peace invites you to slow down, feel, and marvel. An essential stop for all those who want to experience Yvoire differently, beyond its lanes and its history.