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A stop at the Jardin des Plantes, the immaculately manicured botanical garden on the Left Bank, makes for a great respite from Paris many museums.
Whats this park like?
The French do formal well, and when it comes to their green spaces, visitors benefit from all the formality. Paris’ royal Jardin des Plantes, the immaculately manicured botanical garden on the Left Bank, is a great example of this. Any view of it is a feast for the eyes, and plenty of hidden corners are a treat for the kids. Originally designed in 1635 by Guy de la Brosse, Louis XIII’s doctor, the gardens were planned with scientific exactness. After a period of dilapidation, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, who served as Minister of Finances, tasked the leading botanists of the day (Jussieu included, whose name graces the nearest metro station) to rejuvenate the allées (alleys bordered by trees and bushes) and plants.
What are some of the highlights for kids, especially?
These gardens are kid-friendly on so many levels, from the Art Deco hot house to the enormous network of hollowed-out bushes, where Parisian tots love to hide. The conical maze has terraced levels sloping up to a charming gazebo atop the massive green hill.
The Jardin des Plantes is fine for people with mobility issues; the iconic allées are level. The zoo is on flat ground and the access—from several junctures—is flat, unlike parts of the Jardin du Luxembourg or the Jardin de Tuileries. As the Parisian flâneur always needs to take a break, there’s no shortage of benches. Signage is also clear.
If were short on time, is it still worth a visit?
The Jardin des Plantes is free to enter, and you could enjoy a very satisfying 30-minute visit. Alternatively, a combo ticket allows you to hop between the Art Deco Winter Garden, the Natural History Museum, the Paleontology museum, and plenty of other related museums.
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