Jardin des Plantes

What makes it special

From the main gate the garden opens as one long, straight perspective, ending at the greenhouses and the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution. Along the way, look for the Cedar of Lebanon that has stood in the garden since 1734.

You enter the Grandes Serres through an Art Deco colonnade. The first glasshouse is a tropical rainforest, so carry your coat rather than wear it.

Inside the Grande Galerie, a procession of 63 stuffed African animals is the set piece, and the displays lead you through the story of evolution as you move between floors.

Outside, the Alpine Garden gathers more than 2,000 species of mountain plants. The Ménagerie keeps birds, mammals and reptiles on more than five hectares.

Visiting

Starting with the Alpine Garden makes sense from April to October, because it opens only from 8am to noon. Look for the short underpass inside the park that leads into it.

The four greenhouses stand in a row on your right as you walk toward the Grande Galerie. Book the greenhouse ticket online before you go, because no tickets are sold at the door. Inside, the route runs through five climates.

Then cross to the Grande Galerie, which takes a separate ticket. Finish on the Grand Labyrinth, a winding path to the top of the Butte Copeaux hill with a view over the garden, or at the Ménagerie, whose ticket office stops selling an hour before closing.

Tips

Bring ID for any child under three, who enters the Ménagerie free. France's Vigipirate security rules apply at the gates, so travel light and expect a bag check.

In very hot or stormy weather, check jardindesplantesdeparis.fr on the morning you go, because the greenhouses can close in part or completely.