Autumn in the Jardin des Plantes, Paris

History of the Jardin des Plantes

The Jardin des Plantes (‘Garden of Plants’) is the main botanical garden of France situated in the 5th arrondissement, Paris. Its on the left bank of the river Seine, not far from the Notre Dame Cathedral.

Guy de La Brosse, the physician of Louis XIII, designed and planted the garden in 1635, which was originally called the Jardin Royal des Plantes Médicinales (‘Royal Garden of  Medicinal Plants’). In 1640, the garden opened to the public.

What to Expect

Fast forward nearly 380 years to the current Jardin des Plantes, which cover 28 hectares (69 acres) featuring 11 gardens including an alpine garden, ecological garden, a rose garden, a maze, and a rock garden to name just a few. In addition, there are specialized buildings, such as the Art Deco winter garden, and the Mexican and Australian hothouses.

The Jardin des Plantes also has a botanical school and contains four galleries of the French National Museum of Natural History:

• The Galerie de Botanique (‘Gallery of Botany’), which contains botany laboratories and the French Museum’s National Herbarium (the world’s largest with a collection of nearly 8 million plant samples).
• The Grande Galerie de l’Évolution (‘Gallery of Evolution’) formerly Galerie de Zoologie (‘Gallery of Zoology’).
• The Galerie de Minéralogie et de Géologie (‘Gallery of Mineralogy and Geology’).
• The Galerie de Paléontologie et d’Anatomie Comparée (‘Gallery of Paleontology and Comparative Anatomy’).

As well as the numerous gardens and galleries, there is also a child friendly ménagerie (zoo), which was founded in 1795 from animals from the royal zoo of the Palace of Versailles.

Autumn in the Jardin des Plantes

Autumn is the perfect season to visit the Jardin des Plantes. The number of tourists visiting Paris falls to its lowest level during the autumn months; the temperature is perfect for exploring the many gardens and exhibits; and the gardens are full of colour, texture, and interest.

The gardens are dotted with statues, dramatic sculpture, and special displays such as the series of illuminated animals in 2018 including a giant frog and a trio of penguins.

The garden is home to many real animals and historical sites like the Buffon Gloriette at the center of the large maze.

Autumn also brings colourful leaves and interesting dried flowers, such as those of the globe artichoke and sea holly.

The lily-like Amarine, Clerodendrum bungee (rose glory bower), and Mahonia japonica are among the autumn-blooming plants that call the garden home.

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Foliage of innumerable interesting shapes, colours, textures, and fragrances are also in store for visitors. As you can see, visiting the Jardin des Plantes in the autumn will excite the senses and satisfy the explorer in you!

PLAN A VISIT

Jardin des Plantes
57 Rue Cuvier
75005 Paris, France

Telephone: +33(0)1 40 79 56 01 / 54 79 (10:00 AM – 6:00 PM)

Opening Hours: (Check the website for changes in opening hours.)

Jardin des Plantes / Main Garden:
Winter: 8:00 AM to 5.30 PM daily
Summer: 7:30 AM to 7:45 PM daily

Greenhouses:
Winter: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Summer 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Ménagerie (zoo):
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Museum Galleries:
Winter: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Summer 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Tickets: (Check the website for special pricing options, including different combinations of galleries, temporary exhibits, family rates, etc.)

• Jardin des Plantes / Main Garden: free
• Greenhouses: from €5.00 to €7.00
• Menagerie (zoo): €10.00 to €13.00; free under-4s
• Museum Galleries: €5.00 to €7.00 / gallery

Getting There:

The Jardin des Plantes is located in the 5th arrondissement (Panthéon) of Paris, which is on the left bank of the River Seine a short walk from the Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris. Google Maps

There are nine entrances to the garden:

• 47 and 57 rue Cuvier
• 2, 10 and 18 rue Buffon
• 36, 38 and 40 rue Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire
• Place Valhubert

Metro / RER

• Gare d’Austerlitz (lines 5 and 10, RER C)
• Jussieu (lines 7 and 10)
• Place Monge (line 7)
• Censier-Daubenton (line 7)

Bus

24, 57, 61, 63, 67, 89, 91

Batobus

Jardin des Plantes stop

Car

There is no visitor car park at the Jardin des Plantes.

 

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