La Menagerie du Jardin des Plantes, the oldest zoo in Paris

The Menagerie du Jardin des Plantes is the oldest menagerie in Paris, and with good reason: it opened in 1794! Renowned for its rich history and famous residents, such as Zarafa, the first giraffe to live in France, the site is now home to over 150 animal species, more than a third of which are endangered.

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Spanning 5.5 hectares, the menagerie is home to a wide range of species in its listed buildings. From the Grande Volière to the Bear Pits, the Rotonde, the Vivarium and the Reptile Gallery, discover animals from all seven continents. Red pandas, snow leopards, Seychelles tortoises, orangutans, Sichuan takins, golden lion tamarins, Arabian oryx... The Menagerie even has its stars, such as Nénette, the 50-year-old female orang-utan!

In total, the Menagerie is home to more than 500 residents of small and medium-sized species, adapted to the enclosures. So you too can discover them during your visit to the enclosures where they live:

• les Fosses aux ours
• la Rotonde
• Reptile gallery
• the Grande Volière
• the Vivarium
• la Singerie
• la Fauverie
• la Volière des déserts

For children, a free web application created by the Menagerie lets you discover fifteen species in a fun way. With challenges for children aged 4 to 6 and older children aged 7 to 12, the web application lets you take a fun (and free) stroll through the Menagerie. If you decide to spend the day in the heart of the Menagerie , picnic tables are available in various areas of the zoo.

Weekly entertainment schedule :

• carnivorous meals, every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
• meetings with the caretakers (Wednesdays, weekends and public holidays during school terms; daily during school vacations). At 2.45pm for the helmeted cassowary, 3.15pm for the golden lion tamarin, 3.45pm for the Malayan carpet, 4.15pm for the Tasmanian devil.

The Jardin des Plantes Menagerie is open every day of the year, including public holidays (except December 25), from 10am to 5pm. Admission is €13 full price, €10 concessions for under-25s, and children under 3 don't pay! The site is accessible to people with reduced mobility.

Please note: The Menagerie is undergoing extensive renovation work in certain areas of the tour circuit. In 2024, the Menagerie is building a new orangutan area, scheduled to open in 2025. The reptile pavilion is also undergoing renovation, with new features planned for 2026. Here's the tour map explaining the construction zones.

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The Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris with its Jardin des Plantes is an emblematic institution of the capital, founded in 1793. Accessible all year round, this museum offers an insight into the world's rich natural heritage. From plants and magnets to fossils and experiments, immerse yourself in the fascinating world of nature. [Read more]