Menagerie of the Botanical Garden

zoo, Paris, France

Also known as: Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes

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July 19, 2026

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The Menagerie of the Botanical Garden, located in Paris, France, is part of the French National Museum of Natural History. It originated in 1793 as the first public zoo in France, situated within the historic Jardin des Plantes. This compact 6.5-hectare (16-acre) zoo houses approximately 1,100 specimens, including the rare Przewalski's horse, and has had success breeding various species.1

The Paris Zoo also encompasses the Parc Zoologique de Paris, a more modern 15-hectare (37-acre) facility opened in 1934. This zoo features spacious, naturalistic habitats and is known for its landmark artificial mountain, the Grand Rocher. It exhibits over 1,000 specimens of nearly 225 species and has achieved notable breeding success with okapis and giraffes.1

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Paris Zoo
…Zoo, zoological park, comprising the Menagerie of the Botanical Garden (Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes) and the Zoological Park of Paris (Parc Zoologique de Paris), both services of the French National Museum of Natural History.
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…Zoo, zoological park, comprising the Menagerie of the Botanical Garden (Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes) and the Zoological Park of Paris (Parc Zoologique de Paris), both services of the French National Museum of Natural History.
Read More