10 Can’t-Miss Experiences at the Paris Botanical Garden

If you're a plant lover visiting Paris, you've probably put the Jardin des Tuileries and Jardin des Luxembourg on your list of famous gardens to see. But there's one more place that qualifies as a can't-miss destination in the pantheon of Parisian green spaces, a garden that breathes a sense of French history, culture, aesthetics and intellectual achievement. Located right along the Seine, the magnificent 75-acre Paris Botanical Garden (Jardin des Plantes) makes a fabulous addition to your list of Paris landmarks. In fact, we're sure you'll thank us for the recommendation! But if you need convincing, come with us on a short tour of the best attractions in this famous botanical garden in France.

First, let's take a quick detour through history. First named the Royal Garden of Medicinal Plants, these famous gardens in Paris began life in 1635 as an herb garden run by Louis XIII's physician. Over the next decades, it quite naturally became a centre of medical and botanical research and also expanded to house the royal family's large collection of geological and botanical specimens from around the world. The garden's school of natural sciences boasted work by some of Europe's premier early scientists, including Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, Bernard de Jussieu and Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, an originator of the theory of evolution.

During the Revolution, the French government consolidated the complex under the Museum of Natural History, which it remains part of today, and added a zoological park filled with animals from the abandoned royal menagerie at Versailles. Throughout the 19th century, scientific education and research continued on site as French scientists and explorers circled the globe and brought back a wealth of new specimens. Four impressive gallery buildings were built to showcase the institution's paleontological, geological and botanical collections to the public, and greenhouses were added to include plants from nonnative climes.

Now home to one of the world’s largest, most diverse herbariums, the Paris Botanical Garden carries on its scientific purposes as a national arboretum with botanical research, preservation and education. You could easily spend a day or even several days enjoying the premises. However long your visit, we recommend that you don’t miss these top sights and experiences.

As you enter the gardens from the Place Valhubert along the Seine, a grand corridor of rectangular sections bound by walkways opens up before you. These Perspective Squares are adorned with formal beds that are replanted each season. As you stroll by, enjoy the amazing diversity of plant species and admire the staff’s top-tier garden design skills.

Beautifully framed by the corridor of formal beds, this Beaux-Arts-styled gem built in 1889 houses the Museum of Natural Science’s collection of 7,000 zoological specimens. Once inside, stop to appreciate the central gallery which stretches up three stories, each lined with graceful ironwork balustrades and pillars, to a spectacular glass ceiling. Even more impressive are the exhibitions, which illustrate our planet’s amazing biodiversity with animal specimens large and small, extinct or still thriving in the world — all showcased in lifelike poses. Children especially will delight in the first floor’s caravan of African species.

As you step outside the gallery, don’t miss the greenhouses (or Grandes Serres) off to the side. With the oldest built in 1834 and the newest in 2010, these structures reveal the garden’s continuing tradition of botanical research and preservation. Within their glass and iron walls, you can experience a range of ecosystems, from humid rainforest to arid desert, and learn about evolutionary history through the fossilised plants displayed. For a truly special experience, visit the Winter Garden greenhouse during the evening to enjoy its beautifully lit Art Deco exterior and gorgeously lush collection of tropical plants.

To shift from the exotic to the local, head over to the Ecological Garden, where you can amble through its delicately balanced recreation of Paris’ natural ecology. Meticulously planned groupings of plants and animal species mimic the area’s interdependent landscapes and wildlife. The garden is accessible only on limited guided tours, so book your spot early to secure one of the more exclusive experiences available at the Jardin des Plantes.

The oldest zoo in Paris, this small but charming collection represents about 150 species and makes an enjoyable outing for both children and adults. Enjoy the flashy brilliant pinks of the flamingo flock or drop by the red panda enclosure for some cute antics. You can also admire the Art Deco style of the Big Cat House and the Monkey House, both built in the early 20th century. To learn more about the zoo’s extensive conservation efforts and emphasis on preserving biodiversity, attend one of their regularly scheduled educational events.

Another popular site for both kids and adults, the Grand Labyrinth makes a fun stop in your explorations of the botanical garden. This small hill, wreathed in a winding maze of hedges, offers great views of the surrounding area. When you reach the hilltop centre, you’ll be greeted with an iron confection of a gazebo known as Buffon’s Gloriette. Built in 1787 by the Comte de Buffon, then director of the gardens and also owner of a foundry, this eye-catching creation is the oldest metallic structure in Paris. With its lacy ironwork and wide-open views, the Gloriette makes a great spot for memorable photos of your outing.

Bursting with plants drawn from regions from the Alps to the Himalayas, this incredibly complex garden depends on engineered microclimates to allow its high-altitude plants to thrive. Wander through twining paths around miniature hills and valleys, and admire the ingenuity of the gardeners who create and maintain this lush landscape. Don’t forget to find the garden’s pistachio tree, which was planted in 1718 and famously studied to prove the presence of sexual characteristics in plants.

The Botanical School Garden showcases the long-running educational and research side of the Jardin des Plantes. Organised by a plant taxonomy system based on evolutionary families, the garden takes you on an amazing intellectual journey representing every plant family and genus. Consult the map at the centre of the garden to learn more, or schedule a tour guided by an expert in botany to really dig into the subject.

Breathe in the scent of over 390 species of roses both wild and cultivated in the Rose and Rock Garden. A relative newcomer to the garden, this fragrant oasis was planted in 1990 and celebrates the wide range in bloom shapes, colours and foliage of this iconic flower. As you wander through, take note of the mineral features included in honour of the Mineralogy Gallery next door. To see the flowers at their peak, visit in May or June. Interested in rose horticulture? You can sign up for a rose-pruning class from the pros on staff.

Last but not least, don’t forget to check the Paris Botanical Garden’s schedule for special events during your visit. You can get in on special exhibits, educational offerings and seasonal specialties such as the spectacular La Nuit des Lumières. Offered in the midst of winter, this memorable event celebrates the annual Festival of Lights with a mesmerising series of light-filled sculptures scattered throughout the gardens. The theme varies each year, so you’ll never get the same experience twice.

While access to the gardens is free, admission tickets for the greenhouses, galleries and menagerie range from €10 to €20 and may be purchased on the official Jardin des Plantes website. Guided tours of some of the garden’s features are also available for purchase and may require advance notice or reservation.

General hours for the gardens are 7:30am-8pm in spring and summer, 8am-6:30pm in October, and 8am-5:30pm in winter. However, these may vary depending on seasonal weather changes such as snow or extreme heat. Special events may also take place outside of these hours, so make sure to check the garden’s schedule.

Yes! They're located at 57 Rue Cuvier on the Left Bank right by the Latin Quarter, home to some of the main cultural attractions, hotels and restaurants in Paris.

Ready for an unforgettable experience in the City of Light? All that's left is for you to pack your bags and add the Paris Botanical Gardens to your itinerary. Have a good trip!