In Menton, a town known for its outstanding gardens, Serre de la Madone was bought in 1999 by the Conservatoire du Littoral, with contributions from the town of Menton, the Conseil Général des Alpes-Maritimes, the Conseil Régional (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur) and the fondation Electricité de France. Serre de la Madone will now become, with its "palazzo" and its garden restored, an international center for enthusiasts for rare plants.