Menagerie of the Jardin des Plantes: reviews, price 2026 and Exclusive Promo Code

+4
recs
3.5/5 4 reviews
57 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France
57 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France
Skip-the-line ticket from $15*
Booking recommended
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Jaguar de la Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes

Menagerie of the Jardin des Plantes: Two Centuries of Wildlife Right in Paris

An orangutan that paints canvases, Art Deco buildings listed as historic landmarks, and Tasmanian devils you will not see anywhere else in France. Founded in 1794 with animals rescued from the royal menagerie of Versailles, the Menagerie of the Jardin des Plantes is one of the oldest operating zoos in the world.

Why Visit the Menagerie of the Jardin des Plantes?

Across 5.5 hectares in the 5th arrondissement, about 600 animals from 190 species live beneath the leafy canopy of the Jardin des Plantes. About 40% of these species are threatened with extinction. This is much more than a zoo. It is a key player in global conservation, having successfully reintroduced the Arabian oryx and the golden lion tamarin to Brazil.

Since the 1970s, the largest species have left the grounds. You will not find elephants or giraffes here anymore. The menagerie now focuses on small and medium-sized animals, which are often rare and seldom exhibited in other European zoos.

An Open-Air Architectural Heritage

All buildings have been listed as historic monuments since 1993. The bear pits date back to 1805. The Rotonde, built between 1802 and 1812, features a ground plan shaped like the cross of the Legion of Honor. The metal Grande Volière (Large Aviary), designed in 1888 for the World's Fair, still houses dozens of bird species.

The Vivarium, the Singerie (Primate House), and the Fauverie (Big Cat House), built during the 1920s and 1930s, bring an Art Deco aesthetic to the park. The contrast between these geometric lines and the rustic small follies inspired by Marie-Antoinette's hamlet at Versailles gives the grounds a rare charm.

Resident Animals Worth the Detour

The biggest star is Nénette. This female Bornean orangutan, born around 1969, has lived here since 1972. She ranks among the oldest orangutans in the world and regularly paints using her fingers and mouth. Nicolas Philibert dedicated a documentary to her in 2010.

Other crowd favorites include:

  • The red pandas, including two recently born babies
  • The snow leopard, elusive and fascinating
  • The Tasmanian devils, which arrived in 2023 as a first for Paris
  • The Aldabra giant tortoises, visible outdoors during the summer
  • The kea, the Visayan warty pig, and the tammar wallaby, which are nearly impossible to find in standard zoos

Friendly tip: visit in the spring or summer when the animals are more active and visible. Early weekday mornings offer quiet pathways and much better viewing conditions. Be sure to download the free menagerie app, which features fun discovery trails for children aged 4 to 12.

A Zoo in Full Transformation

A new 600 m² enclosure for the orangutans is currently under construction, with an opening scheduled for 2026. The reptile pavilion, closed since 2019, is undergoing complete restoration. Certain outdoor areas remain temporarily off-limits.

What Makes It Different

  • A unique historic and tree-filled setting with landmark-listed buildings
  • Rare species seldom showcased in other European parks
  • 40% endangered species and concrete reintroduction programs
  • Regular activities including keeper talks, feline feedings, and a 12-step biodiversity trail

Good to Know Before You Go

  • Some modest enclosures may disappoint visitors used to massive modern zoos
  • Reptile pavilion closed for renovations
  • Active construction zones temporarily shortening the walking path

Indicative Ticket Prices

Pricing chart for the menagerie, the zoo of the Jardin des Plantes
Category Rate
Standard rate, ages 26 and up $15*
Reduced rate: EU residents aged 3 to 25, job seekers, Pass Éducation holders $12*
Family pack: 2 adults + 2 youths aged 3 to 25 $45*
Children under 3 Free
Visitors with disabilities + companion Free

Indicative rates subject to change

Skip-the-line ticket from $15*Booking recommended
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Opening hours

Open every day of the year except December 25.
- March to September: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- October to February: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Last entry 45 minutes to 1 hour before closing.
Hours are indicative and subject to change

How long for this activity

Plan on 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours for a full loop. If you are visiting with young children or want to catch the scheduled activities, set aside 3 to 4 hours.

*Information subject to change

Reviews of the Menagerie of the Jardin des Plantes

Summary of 4 reviews
3.5/5
Average rating
+4 recs +12 -8 Score weighted by contributor expertise level: a recommendation from a level 3 member counts as 3.
Total recommendations

Ratings by visit type

With family
4
As a couple
3.3
With friends
3

Avygeo ranking

#1094
in the world
#737
in Europe
#322
in France
#55
in Paris

Mixed feelings

As much as I love the Jardin des Plantes, especially the greenhouses, I don't really like the zoo. Sure, there are plenty of animal species, but they don't seem very comfortable. Their enclosures are very small and not suitable. In winter, some animals left outside are shivering from the cold.

33
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A nice visit, but not an incredible zoo

I really like the setting of the menagerie, with its old buildings and beautiful walkways. As for the animals, there are different species (not as many as in a zoo, of course) and the visit is quite relaxed. However, some enclosures seemed pretty small to me. It is still a very nice visit to do as a family, especially with children.

11
Recommends :
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A nice little zoo

I went there with my nieces after the Grande Galerie de l'Evolution. I think it is a shame that you have to pay for admission separately. It is a nice little park for seeing animals right in the middle of Paris. You mostly find small mammals (monkeys, tapirs, Tasmanian devils...) and birds (flamingos, macaws...).
I still have doubts about the well-being of some animals, especially the panthers, whose enclosures are very small. It is hard to do better given the space available, but this menagerie offers a somewhat artificial setting. To observe animals in a more natural environment, I would recommend going to the Paris Zoological Park in Vincennes instead.

8
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Unexpected in the heart of Paris

We visited this mini zoo on a whim during a walk in the Jardin des Plantes.

I was expecting some kind of petting zoo with 2 goats and 3 chickens. I mean, we are right in the heart of Paris!
Good surprise, it is a real little zoo with rare species, big cats, herbivores, monkeys, birds, and so on. The whole array of a real zoo is there, except for the size. Some enclosures still seem a bit small to me, especially for the big cats.

13
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