Jardin des Plantes, located in the 5th Arrondissement of Paris, is a renowned botanical garden established in 1626 by King Louis XIII’s physician, Guy de La Brosse. Originally known as the Royal Garden of Medicinal Plants, it served to educate and supply the public with medicinal herbs. The garden spans over 28 hectares and is part of the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle.
One of the garden's standout features is its Grande Galerie de l'Évolution, an impressive museum that showcases the diversity of life forms on Earth. This gallery was constructed in the 19th century and underwent a significant renovation in 1994 to enhance its exhibits.
The garden also hosts an Alpine Garden containing over 2,000 species of mountain flora from around the world. This specialized garden was established in 1931 and provides a unique microclimate for its plants. Another notable area is the Iris and Perennials Garden, which displays a wide variety of iris species, primarily in full bloom during late spring.
The Menagerie, one of the world's oldest zoos, was established in 1794 and houses a variety of animals, including rare and endangered species. Unlike modern zoos, the Menagerie maintains 19th-century architectural styles, giving it a unique historical atmosphere.
A hidden gem within the Jardin des Plantes is the Labyrinth, a winding path through a maze of hedges leading to a small hill crowned by the Gloriette de Buffon, a gazebo named after the famed naturalist Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon. This labyrinth has been a part of the garden since the 17th century and offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The garden is also home to several greenhouses, most notably the Grandes Serres, a series of vast, ornate glass structures dating back to the 19th century. These greenhouses house a diverse collection of tropical and desert plants and were meticulously restored and reopened to the public in 2010.
Jardin des Plantes also features an extensive Herbarium, one of the largest in the world, with over eight million plant specimens. This collection serves as a critical resource for botanists and researchers globally.
The garden's School of Botany has been an educational cornerstone since its inception, offering courses and workshops on plant science. It continues to play a significant role in training future botanists and horticulturists.
Lastly, the garden's association with historical figures like Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, a pioneering evolutionary biologist, adds to its rich intellectual heritage. Lamarck worked extensively in the garden, contributing significantly to the study of botany and the development of evolutionary theory.