Fixed-term contract for gardener, landscape gardener/botanist

Job opening
May 4, 2026 - October 30, 2026
At an altitude of 2,100 meters at the Col du Lautaret in the Hautes-Alpes, 2 hectares of garden, 2,000 species of wild alpine plants, 24,000 visitors from June to August. 2 positions available.

Background

Created in 1899, The jardin du Lautaret toUniversité Grenoble Alpes UGA) and the CNRS. Located at the Col du Lautaret, 90 km from Grenoble and at an altitude of 2,100 m, it is a research facility that welcomes local and international scientific teams, as well as a tourist site open to the public, with nearly 24,000 visitors each summer who come to admire the botanical collections and landscaping in an exceptional setting.

The Lautaret Garden collections have been recognized with several labels and distinctions:

  • Botanical Gardens of France and French-speaking Countries (JBF). This label was awarded in 1998 and renewed in 2006. It is awarded to gardens that are involved in the three missions of welcoming the public, conservation, and research.
  • Conservatory of Specialized Plant Collections. This label was awarded in 1998 and renewed in 2005 for the unique collection of plants from mountains around the world.
  • Remarkable garden. This label was awarded in May 2005 by the Ministry of Culture and Communication (Directorate of Architecture and Heritage, DRAC PACA). It was renewed in 2010 for a period of five years. This label applies to parks and gardens whose historical, architectural, and botanical interest, and above all their maintenance, are particularly remarkable.
  • 2024 Garden Art Award. This award, presented by the Signature Foundation, aims to support creators and innovative multidisciplinary projects of general and cultural interest. It seeks to encourage creativity and support talent in the field of exceptional gardens.

2 hectares of garden at the Col du Lautaret

Missions and activities

Under the responsibility of the director, and in collaboration with the head of cultivation, you will participate in the maintenance and enrichment of botanical collections as well as the conservation and promotion of alpine species. In this capacity, you will be responsible for the following tasks:

  • Restoring rock gardens for the Garden 2030 project, which aims to restore all flower beds and rock gardens by 2030.
  • Maintain rock gardens and flower beds
  • Perform landscaping work
  • Supervise a team of 2 to 3 interns
  • Manage watering and crop monitoring
  • Participate (occasionally) in research and experimentation work
map of the Lautaret garden

Expected skills

  • Skills in landscaping (rock gardens, riprap, water features, etc.)
  • Desired leadership skills and experience
  • Interest in botany and alpine flora
  • Proficiency in botanical garden gardening techniques (weeding, planting, seed cleaning, etc.)
  • Versatility, team spirit, good interpersonal skills

Special features

Location of the position: Lautaret Garden (Col du Lautaret, 2,000 m above sea level). Holder of a B permit desirable.
Published on January 20, 2026
Updated on March 6, 2026