Why were King Louis XVI’s animals moved to the Jardin des Plantes during the French Revolution?

During the French Revolution, King Louis XVI was ousted from power and the Palace of Versailles was abandoned. Consequently, the royal animals kept in the king's private menagerie were transferred to the Jardin des Plantes in Paris.1

This relocation marked a significant shift in the purpose of animal collections. While the royal menagerie had served as a private display of status for the aristocracy, the animals moved to the Jardin des Plantes became part of a public institution that opened its doors in 1794. This transition aligned with the Enlightenment movement, which emphasized the use of science, reason, and observation to understand the natural world. By integrating these animals into a scientific and botanical setting, the French government helped transform the concept of a private collection into the foundation for the first public zoo in France.21