Visiting the Jardin des Plantes
Located on the Left Bank of the Seine, just a short walk from the Panthéon, the Jardin des Plantes serves as a unique blend of a centuries old botanical garden, a zoo, and a university research center. Affiliated with the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle (National Museum of Natural History), it draws thousands of visitors every year.
Established in 1793 from the former medicinal plant garden of Louis XIII, the grounds span over 26 hectares (about 64 acres) and contain more than 10,000 plant species. The site is organized into 11 distinct areas: the formal perspective squares, resource plants, the botany school, alpine and ecological gardens, the winter gardens, gardens for roses and rocks, peonies, bees and birds, the labyrinth, and finally the iris and perennial gardens. While the main grounds are open to the public from sunrise to sunset, six specific areas require an entry fee. These include the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution (with its children's gallery and virtual reality studio), the galleries of mineralogy and geology, comparative anatomy and paleontology, botany, the winter gardens, and the zoo, known as the Ménagerie.
Much like other historic green spaces in Paris, the Jardin des Plantes features a mix of French formal gardens, which prioritize symmetry and theater, and English landscape gardens designed to mimic natural scenery. At the top of the belvedere, you will find the Gloriette de Buffon, a small bronze pavilion built in 1788. For that era, the structure was considered a true architectural feat.
Educational events
On the last Sunday of each month at 3:00 PM, the auditorium of the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution hosts meetings where you can learn about the various professions practiced at the Jardin des Plantes. Additionally, from April through October, outdoor guided tours titled Propos de jardiniers (Gardener's Talk) take place at 2:00 PM on two Thursdays per month. Check with the botany school for specific schedules.
It is my favorite place in Paris to get a bit of greenery! I love going there in the spring to admire the rose garden, the irises, and the beautiful Japanese cherry tree, but this garden is magnificent all year round. I often come back to see the splendid cedar of Lebanon and the large greenhouses, and I always discover new corners, like the alpine garden near the botanical school recently. It is a magical and very pleasant place, with plenty of benches to sit on. Take the opportunity to go see the Grande Galerie de l'évolution, located right next door.