Reception Gardens

The First Garden

The Reception Gardens were among the first to open to the public, in 1937. After many years of planning and negotiating and hours at the drafting board, once all the agreements were in place and the final survey lines drawn, it was time to start digging!

Many labourers, working under Henry Teuscher's skilful direction, would soon give Montrealers a hint of what Brother Marie-Victorin's ambitious project held in store.

The Reception Gardens had a major makeover in 2014-2015. The basins, fountain, flowerbeds and low walls were carefully restored, following the original plans drawn up by Henry Teuscher, so as to preserve the site’s rich heritage.

Pictures of the Reception Gardens are seen around the world, and have become the Jardin botanique de Montréal's "signature": a central pathway with lined flowerbeds, cascading pools and fountains, set against the backdrop of the magnificent Art Deco-style administration building.