Perched at 2,173 metres on the slopes above Courmayeur, the Giardino Botanico Alpino Saussurea is the highest alpine botanical garden in Europe. It was established to protect and display the remarkable range of plant life that survives at altitude on the Mont Blanc massif — from dwarf willows and cushion plants to vivid alpine wildflowers that bloom in brief, intense bursts during the short summer. The setting is dramatic: the garden looks directly up at the south face of Mont Blanc.
The garden is reachable by cable car to Plan Checrouit and then a short walk. It is open in summer only, roughly July through September. Allow an hour to walk through the various sections, which are organised by altitude and habitat. If you are hiking in the area anyway, it makes a natural stop — and the views from the garden alone justify the detour.