In short
Founded in the 17th century as a royal garden for medicinal plants, the Jardin des Plantes is the historic heart of French natural history research. Its vast walkways connect historic galleries of anatomy and evolution to spectacular glass pavilions, offering a unique and timeless journey through the wonders of biodiversity.
Period: founded in 1626 (opened in 1635)
Services: kiosks, bars, and restaurants, children's play areas, a vintage carousel, public restrooms, shaded benches, a museum bookshop, and accessible educational tours.
Points of interest: the historic Great Greenhouses, the Great Gallery of Evolution, the Ménagerie (the historic zoo), the labyrinth garden and the majestic eighteenth-century Oriental plane tree
Best time: late morning, to enjoy the rose garden in bloom and visit the scientific pavilions before the afternoon peak
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The ideal stop
Why not combine it with a cultural stop at the ancient and spectacular ruins of the Arch of Cluny or the Arenas of Lutetia?
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Recommended parking time 120'
Two hours are ideal for strolling in the outdoor gardens and visiting one of the large galleries.
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The local rite
Sit on the long stone benches near the statue of Lamarck to study the Latin nomenclature of the flowers in the flowerbeds of the school of botany.
What to see at the Jardin des Plantes
Explore the diverse flowerbeds and monumental buildings of this scientific center to discover historic trees and unique natural history collections.
The Great Greenhouses Not to be missed
Spectacular iron and glass pavilions that house the tropical forest, the arid flora of the desert and the plants of New Caledonia.
The Great Gallery of Evolution
Be awed by the immense 19th-century space that showcases the parade of life-size taxidermied animals under a magnificent stained-glass window.
The Garden of Roses and Rocks
Discover the rich botanical collection, home to hundreds of varieties of historic roses and a selection of alpine plants grown among natural rocks.
La Ménagerie Ideal for families
One of the oldest zoos on the planet, founded during the French Revolution and today dedicated to the protection of endangered species.
The Labyrinth and Buffon's Labyrinth
Climb the spiral path to the top of the hill, where Buffon's historic bronze kiosk, the oldest in Paris, stands.
The visit to the Jardin des Plantes
Very few practical tips for navigating botanical education and museum buildings.
Best moment
At ten o'clock, when the internal galleries open their doors.
Crowding
Very busy on weekends.
Suitable for children
The giant dinosaur skeletons and the animals of the Ménagerie make it so.
What not to miss
The cedar of Lebanon planted by the botanist Bernard de Jussieu in 1734.
Type of experience
Educational, academic, botanical, peaceful.
What to expect
Students drawing, flowerbeds labeled with descriptive labels, and the scent of seasonal blooms.
How to visit the Jardin des Plantes
We recommend going through the monumental entrance located in Place Valhubert, directly facing the Seine.
Need to know
- It was born as a medical garden for King Louis XIII.
- The famous naturalist Count Buffon directed the development.
- The animals of the Palace of Versailles founded the zoo.
- The Anatomy Gallery houses thousands of real skeletons.
Practical advice
- Purchase gallery tickets online in advance.
- Do not touch the plants catalogued in the botany school.
- Use Gare d'Austerlitz station to avoid long walks.
- Bring a jacket for the temperature changes in the greenhouses.
How to get to the Jardin des Plantes
You'll find this historic scientific institution nestled along the left bank of the Seine, in the eastern portion of the Latin Quarter.
Lines 5 and 10 serve the convenient Gare d'Austerlitz station, while line 7 stops at Place Monge.
Line C makes a useful stop at the Gare d'Austerlitz train station.
Lines 24, 57, 61, 63, 67, 89 and 91 stop along the gates.
Walk east from the Great Mosque of Paris.
Jardin des Plantes, 75005
Official Transport Paris
- Paris Metro Map
- RER tickets and fares
- Taxis in Paris (numbers and alternatives)
History of the Jardin des Plantes
In 1626, King Louis XIII's physicians, Jean Héroard and Guy de La Brosse, obtained royal authorization to establish a land dedicated to the cultivation of medicinal plants, naming it the "Jardin royal des plantes médicinales." The aim was to train future court apothecaries and physicians, offering free lessons in French rather than Latin—a revolutionary move that immediately attracted a large crowd of students, the curious, and academics. The garden officially opened its doors to the public in 1635.
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The garden's true golden age began in 1739, when its management was entrusted to the renowned naturalist Georges-Louis Leclerc, Count of Buffon. Buffon directed the garden for nearly fifty years, transforming it from a simple medical garden into a global hub of scientific research. He doubled the size of the grounds, planted exotic trees sent by explorers from around the world, laid out the spectacular central avenue, and ordered the construction of the labyrinth on the hill for botanical purposes.
During the turbulent years of the French Revolution, the institution managed to save itself from royal plunder thanks to a clever political conversion. In 1793, it became the "National Museum of Natural History." The following year, revolutionary troops transferred the surviving animals from the royal menageries at Versailles and the street circuses there, establishing the Ménagerie, designed to allow the study of living animals in keeping with the philosophy of the Enlightenment.
During the 19th century, great scientists such as Georges Cuvier and Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck worked within these laboratories, laying the foundations of modern paleontology and the theories of evolution. The iron pavilions were enriched with impressive exhibition galleries, including the monumental gallery of comparative anatomy. Today, the garden retains its dual role intact: an enchanting monumental park open to the public and a center for cutting-edge scientific research on a global scale.
Curiosities about the Jardin des Plantes
The singular events and little-known details preserved among the avenues of the botanical park of the Latin Quarter.
The royal giraffe that walked to Paris: in 1827, the Ménagerie welcomed Zarafa, the first living giraffe ever seen in France, a gift from the Pasha of Egypt to King Charles X; the animal landed in Marseille and walked over eight hundred kilometers to Paris, sparking a veritable fashion in the clothes and hairstyles of high society.
Trees with a historical passport: strolling along the avenues, you can encounter trees that have witnessed European history; in addition to the Cedar of Lebanon dating back to 1734, the garden is home to a Robinia pseudoacacia planted in 1636, considered the oldest living tree in the city of Paris.
The metal kiosk that never rusts: the Gloriette de Buffon, located atop the labyrinth hill, is a technological marvel dating back to 1786; crafted from a combination of bronze, brass, and iron, it is considered one of the very first prefabricated metal structures in the world, predating the Eiffel Tower.
The Nazi dynamite charges: during the delicate phases of the liberation of Paris in August 1944, retreating German soldiers mined some of the large historic glass greenhouses to destroy them, but the timely intervention of French partisans managed to defuse the devices before they exploded.
Tickets, tours and experiences in the surrounding area
Find accommodation near the Jardin des Plantes
If you are looking for accommodation near the Jardin des Plantes you can opt for one of the many structures in the Latin Quarter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Grand Gallery of Evolution house real, living animals?
No, the gallery displays exclusively thousands of taxidermied specimens, historical skeletons and life-size reproductions, while the live animals are housed in the Ménagerie.
Can we have a picnic on the central lawn that extends in front of the galleries?
No, the large central flowerbeds are fenced and protected for perspective reasons; special picnic areas with tables are available near the greenhouses.
Are the botany school classes open to foreign tourists?
The School of Botany's trails are accessible free of charge to anyone for observation and label study, but official courses require academic enrollment.
Is the labyrinth kiosk accessible with a stroller?
The path that climbs the hill is circular, sloping , and has some stone steps, making the climb partially difficult with wheels.
What's inside the Mineralogy and Geology Gallery building?
It houses one of the most important collections of crystals, meteorites and precious stones in the world, including the historic crown jewels of France.
Is the water in the monumental fountain near the entrance to the Seine safe to drink?
The large decorative outdoor fountain operates on a closed circuit with non-potable, but along the avenues there are the classic Wallace fountains with fresh water.
Can the Ménagerie be visited with the same ticket as the greenhouses?
No, the historic zoo and the large greenhouses are separate attractions operated by the museum, and each requires the purchase of a separate entrance ticket.
Will the garden remain open to the public if temperatures drop below freezing?
The outdoor paths remain open regularly, while the tropical greenhouses maintain a constant, electronically controlled warm temperature to protect the plants. An excellent solution for those visiting Paris in winter.
