In Avignon, the Jardin du Rocher des Doms is entering a new era. Led by Spie Batignolles, this project combines heritage restoration, technical innovation and climate adaptation.
Perched above the Rhône, opposite the Palais des Papes, the Jardin du Rocher des Doms offers itself a second life. Committed to meeting both heritage requirements and climatic challenges, its restoration mobilizes specialized know-how and adapted technical solutions. Led by Spie Batignolles, the site illustrates a new way of intervening on sensitive sites: preserving what exists, strengthening its resilience and reinventing uses, without ever betraying the spirit of the place.
The Jardin des Doms, also called the Jardin du Rocher des Doms, is a three-hectare public park developed in the 19th century, located on the Rocher des Doms, in the heart of the historic center of Avignon, a world heritage site. In the immediate vicinity of the Papal Palace and its gardens, it has been labeled a “remarkable garden” since 2003 and classified as a Historic Monument since 2024. © Ocarina
A major heritage site to reinvent
Dominating the Rhône and interacting with the Palais des Papes, the Jardin du Rocher des Doms embodies one of the most iconic landscape signatures of Avignonboth a belvedere, an urban park and witness to a long history, shaped since the Second Empire. Classified as a “remarkable garden” and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Sitethis space of almost three hectares stands out today as a exemplary requalification projectmanaged by the City, where heritage requirements and contemporary use requirements intersect.
Because the diagnosis was clear: weakened by climate change, experienced by repeated weather episodes and subject to sustained visitation, the site had gradually lost its landscape clarity and its ecological resilience. It was necessary to restore, but also to adapt.
Committed in 2024 for a period running until 2027, the project entrusted to Spie Batignolles Paysage – via its subsidiary Solev, agent – and to Spie batignolles public worksis part of this logic of sustainable transformation of territories. The cost of the work is €2,104,211.
An exceptional project between technicality and respect for living things
Preserve, deposit, prepare: precision above all
On this sensitive site, each intervention involves a delicate balance between conservation and transformation. The teams thus deploy specific know-how, where technical precision is put at the service of living heritage:
– preservation of remarkable trees;
– Careful removal of elements with a view to their reuse (statues, outdoor furniture);
– Or even preparatory work integrating targeted fellings and reasonable pruning.
The earthworks reflect a resolutely contemporary approach, with decompaction operations by injection of air and soil amendment over more than 4,300 m2. © Ocarina
Replant, equip, refresh: think about the use
This first sequence responds with a ambitious landscape reconstructionmarked by the planting of 30 trees and 9,500 shrubs and perennials, as well as the installation of new outdoor furniture. The project also integrates a large-scale automated watering system – nearly 700 meters of primary network, supplemented by micro-sprinkling and drip devices –, guaranteeing optimized management of water resources.
The qualitative developments are not to be outdone: base of the statue of Venus, more than a kilometer of metal borders, stairs and supporting rockeries redraw the circulation and perspectives. The completely redesigned play area is equipped with a misting system. A necessary island of freshness. © Ocarina
Sequential delivery for an immediately reclaimed site
Designed in successive phases, the project allows a gradual reopening of the site to the public. A first phase, delivered recently, already offers walkers renewed access to the garden for the spring and summer season.
The second phase will begin in the fall, with final delivery planned for summer 2027.
