Jardin des Plantes
Paris's hidden garden, the Jardin Alpin, in the Jardin des Plantes park
The 1640 Jardin des Plantes consists mainly of fenced-off gardens, a small zoo, and a natural history museum spread over several buildings (the best is the Galeries de Peléontologie et d'Anatomie Comparée in the park's NW corner, a wonderfully quirky 19th century holdover: one long, huge room filled by a frozen stampede of extinct and exotic animal skeletons; www.mnhn.fr).
But this park's secret is the Jardin Alpin, which initially looks like any old regimented Paris garden. However, halfway down the wide jardin path is a tunnel ducking under the main path to pop you out into a miniature valley largely hidden from the main part of the park by profuse bushes up at ground level.
In the microclimate of this secluded vale thrive over 2,000 species of mountain plants (from the Alps, Pyrenees, Caucasus, Rockies, Himalayas, and others) ranged lushly around a small stream that winds through the miniature wonderland past tiny waterfalls and hidden nooks with benches.
Tips
- Planning your time: If you just stroll through the park, check out the Alpine Garden, it'll take maybe 20-30 minutes. Spend time in the Natural History Museum or zoo adds another 20–30 minutes each.
- Take a tour of The Natural History Museum at Jardin des Plantes with our partners at Viator.com:
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This article was last updated in February 2012. All information was accurate at the time.
Copyright © 1998–2012 by Reid Bramblett. All rights reserved.
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quai Saint-Bernard/rue Buffon/rue Cuvier/rue Geoffrey-Saint-Hilaire
Latin Quarter (5eme)
Tel. +33-(0)1-40-79-56-01
www.jardindesplantes.net
equipement.paris.fr
OPEN
Park: Daily 8am–7:45pm (5:30pm in winter)
Alpine Garden: May-Oct Mon-Fri 8am–4:50pm; Sat-Sun 1:30–5pm; Closed Nov-Apr
Natural History Museum: Wed-Mon 10am–5pm (some parts stay open to 6pm)
ADMISSION
Park: Free
Alpine Garden: Free weekdays; €2 weekends (tickets at the reptile house)
Natural History Museum: €7–€9
TRANSPORT
Métro: Gare de L'Austerlitz (5, 10)
RER: Gare de L'Austerlitz (C)
TOURS
• Paris Walking Tour for Children and Families
