| s amazing architecture, dated back to the XVIII and | | | | tortoise and all of his friends, Nénette the |
| XIX century, ´Le Jardin des Plantes` zoo is the | | | | orang-utan and his family, the reptiles, the big cats, |
| oldest zoo in the world conserving its original location. | | | | the crocodiles, the pink flamingos, the birds of pray, |
| The zoo offers 55000 m2 of botanical gardens which | | | | and the equally astonishing lamas and donkeys. |
| provides a home to thousands of animals. | | | | Entry to the park is 7euros (if you buy three tickets, |
| Created at the end of the 18th century, the zoo has | | | | you get the fourth on offer) and 5 euros for |
| the aim of protecting, conserving and discovering a | | | | discounted entry; large families, children between 4-13 |
| diversity of species of animals. The animals were | | | | years old and groups larger than 10 people. Entry is |
| sent to the zoo from the Duke of | | | | free for children under 4 years old, the disabled, RMI |
| Orléans’s ´La Ménagerie Royale de | | | | members and employers of the park. |
| Versailles; they were taken from the showman when | | | | Useful information: |
| animal street performances were abolished. | | | | Access to the park can be found on the following |
| Over the years the zoo has grown to include a bear | | | | streets: |
| enclosure, various bird cages, a reptile park and more. | | | | La rue Cuvier, rue Buffon, rue Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire, |
| As the zoo is not very large, it’s principally | | | | and place Valhubert |
| concerned with the smaller species but is able to | | | | Make sure to find near by accommodation early |
| boast, 270 mammals of 50 species, 200 reptiles of | | | | Buses to the park: 24, 57, 61, 63, 67, 89 and 91 |
| 40 species, 330 birds of 80 species and 200 | | | | Batobus/tourist bus: get off at Jardin des Plantes |
| amphibians and 1200 invertebrates, all of which help | | | | Metro: line 5 — Austerlitz station, line 7 |
| educate the zoo’s youngest visitors. At the | | | | — Censier Daubenton station and line 10 |
| heart of your visit to this magnificent attraction you | | | | — Jussieu or Austerlitz station |
| will discover a menagerie of species, colours, furs and | | | | RER C |
| feathers. | | | | SNCF: Austerlitz and Lyon station |
| Snaking through the diverse areas of the park you | | | | Opening times: from 9 a.m to 6 p.m |
| will find apes, a lions den, a cosy reptile house and | | | | Note: |
| even a miniature farm. Full of life and growth, the | | | | Your entrance ticket to the zoo will gain you free |
| park is a universe in its self. Taking care of this | | | | access to the temporary exposition of ´l´atoll |
| beautiful space are around 60 people (carers, vets | | | | Aldabra`, situated in the heart of the Indian Ocean |
| and environmentalists) who can be relied upon | | | | and still one of the biggest intact natural sanctuaries. |
| 24hours a day. | | | | At this brand new exposition that awaits you (until |
| Don’t miss the bears getting fed every | | | | the 9th of November 2008) at ´la Rotonde de la |
| Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at around | | | | Ménagerie`, families can discover this unique |
| 4p.m. As in every respectable zoo, this menagerie | | | | environment and be introduced to the |
| has its stars: like Kiki the giant one hundred year old | | | | exposition’s safeguard of the planet scheme. |