The Jardin d'Agronomie Tropicale, an unusual hidden garden of exotic treasures

The Jardin d'Agronomie Tropicale, nestled in the eastern Bois de Vincennes in Paris, is an exotic haven open to the public. As you step through its gates, you're immediately transported on a journey through time and continents. A shady stroll, sheltered by the coolness of the trees, this spot is one of the most beautiful gardens to visit in the capital.

Established in the late 19th century, the garden was initially a place for the production and experimentation of tropical plants destined for the French colonies. Following the 1900 Universal Exhibition, it housed the greenhouses of chocolatier Meunier and coffee grower Hamel, and became the site of a colonial exhibition in 1907.

Today's 4-hectare garden, divided into two main sections representingAsia andAfrica, offers a fascinating journey. On the Asian side, there's an Indochinese atmosphere, with a pagoda, a reconstructed village, rice paddies and a diorama featuring famous landscapes.

The African side features villages from Sudan, Congo and Madagascar, as well as a Tuareg encampment. After the exhibition, the garden continued to be a production and teaching center, with some pavilions transformed into laboratories or classrooms.

Here's what you'll find in the garden:

• The Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement (CIRAD).
• The Meunier greenhouse, a survivor of the 1900 Universal Exhibition.
• The Dinh esplanade, with its Vietnamese-inspired stone portico.
• The Red Temple of Indochinese Remembrance, listed as a historic monument in 1965.
• The renovated Tunisian pavilion,
• The Indochina pavilion, lined with pomegranates and cockscomb erythrina.
• Several other pavilions representing different colonies.
  

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The garden is also home to a number of monuments erected in memory of colonial soldiers who died for France. It is important to note that some aspects of colonial history presented in the garden are controversial and have been criticized for their depiction of colonized peoples.

Last but not least, the garden conceals curiosities such as picturesque bridges, a tiger trap and contemporary works of art.

The Jardin d'Agronomie Tropicale is a place steeped in history and memory, where we can escape and learn. Be sure to visit this hidden treasure and enjoy an enriching cultural experience in the heart of Paris. Head to 45 bis, avenue de la Belle-Gabrielle, Paris 12e for a dive into the colonies.