Jardin des Plantes Paris

Jardin des Plantes Paris is home to numerous themed gardens and greenhouses, a zoo and the Museum of Natural History

Strolling along long rows of flowers in the Jardin de plantes
Strolling along long rows of flowers in the Jardin de plantes cc licensed photo by besopha

The lovely Jardin des Plantes in Paris is the perfect place to enjoy the simple pleasures that only a beautiful garden can offer. These gardens are free to explore and offer a nice change from the bustle of the city. The gardens are also home to the Museum National D'Histoire Naturelle to which they belong.

The beautiful gardens occupy a total area of about 70 acres on the southbank of the river Seine. The first planting consisted of medicinal herbs way back in 1635. In 1640 the gardens were opened to the public for the first time. In 1739 there were significant additions made to the gardens including the Labyrinth.

Several smaller gardens are located within the overall garden including the Alpine Garden, the Ecological Garden, the Rose Garden, the Garden of Peonies, the Garden of Irises and Perennials, the Labyrinth, the Greenhouses and more.

In addition to the beautiful themed gardens, starting around 1793, the garden inherited the Royal Menagerie from Versailles which in modern terms is a zoo. Of course today the focus has changed from Royalty acquiring exotic animals as a measure of wealth and status to the role of conservation and scientific study. The Menagerie at Jardin des Plantes Paris is filled with a variety of small and medium sized species representative of many different parts of the world. It is the oldest public zoo still in existence.

There are a total of 4 gates located at 57 rue Cuvier, 2 rue Buffon, 36 rue Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire and 75005 Paris place Valhubert.

Nearby attraction: Museum of Natural History

Facts For Your Visit

Official Website: Jardin des Plantes

Fee: The botanical gardens are free with the exception of a nominal charge for the Alpine Garden on weekends and holidays, for Les Grandes Serres (the Greenhouses) and for the Menagerie (Zoo).

Closed Now

Regular Hours:
Hours may be subject to change. Please verify on the official website.

  • Monday: 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Friday: 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Saturday: 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Sunday: 8:00 am - 5:30 pm

Category: Botanical Gardens Parks

Address: 57 rue Cuvier
75005 Paris
France

Phone: +33 1 40 79 56 01

Reviews

Yelp Rating:
4 out of 5 4 Star Rating
Based on 77 Reviews.

See all reviews on Yelp

5 Star Rating Even in winter - and in the first snow of the winter - this garden in the middle of the city is lovely and makes for a pleasant, peaceful walk of a morning.... Read More

Madeleine T. Dec-04-2010

4 Star Rating Fun night exhibit. Awkward story progression though from bugs to plants to sperm to an egg with a child inside. Beautiful lights though. Read More

Albert K. Dec-31-2022

5 Star Rating This is a beautiful, quiet, peaceful botanical garden in the busy city! It's the main botanical garden in France and was opened by Louis XIII in 1635 as a... Read More

Saira K. Nov-24-2021

Accommodations near Jardin des Plantes:

Directions

Metro / RER Line Nearest Station Walking Time
M7 or M10Jussieu Station5 minutes
M5Quai de la Rapée Station5 minutes

How to get to Jardin des Plantes by Metro / RER

By Metro: Exit Metro M7 or M10 at Jussieu Station and go to your left walking straight south along Rue Linne to the entrance gate at the corner of the Jarden des Plantes or exit Metro M5 at Quai de la Rapée Station and go to your right through the plaza and right again across Pont d'Austerlistz (Bridge) to the entrance gate on the far side of the traffic circle.

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Photo Gallery

Video


Video slideshow showcasing the wide range of critters that can be observed at the menagerie followed by the wide variety of beautiful flowers and plants in the various gardens at Jardin des Plantes

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