The Jardin botanique de Paris is a large public park and botanical garden located in the heart of the capital. It is one of the most popular attractions in Paris, with more than 4 million visitors every year.
History
The Jardin botanique de Paris was founded in 1626 by Louis XIII and was originally called the Jardin royal des plantes médicinales. It was initially used as a medicinal plant garden and was open to the public in 1793. The garden was extensively redesigned in 1853 by the landscape architect Jean-Pierre Barillet-Deschamps and is now one of the most beautiful parks in the city.
Gardens and Attractions
The Jardin botanique de Paris covers an area of over 21 hectares and is divided into several sections, each with its own unique features. The main sections are the Jardin alpin, the Jardin des plantes, the Jardin des serres, the Jardin des rosiers, the Jardin des insectes, the Jardin des arbres and the Jardin des plantes médicinales. The gardens also contain several greenhouses, a lake, a pond and an aviary.
The Jardin des plantes is the largest section of the park and is home to more than 10,000 species of plants. It is divided into several different sections, including the Grandes Serres, the Arboretum, the Medicinal Plant Garden and the Garden of Aquatic Plants. The Grandes Serres are particularly impressive, with a huge variety of tropical and subtropical plants.
The Jardin des serres is home to a collection of cacti and succulents, as well as several other species of plants. The Jardin des rosiers is home to a large collection of roses, while the Jardin des insectes contains several species of butterflies and moths. The Jardin des arbres is home to a variety of trees, while the Jardin des plantes médicinales contains a collection of medicinal plants.
Events and Activities
The Jardin botanique de Paris hosts a variety of events and activities throughout the year. These include concerts, workshops, exhibitions, lectures and educational activities. The park also hosts a number of festivals and special events, such as the International Garden Festival and the Fête des plantes.
The International Garden Festival
The International Garden Festival is held annually in the park and is one of the most popular events. It features a variety of garden designs, sculptures and art installations from around the world. It also includes music and dance performances, workshops and lectures.
Fête des Plantes
The Fête des Plantes is an annual event held in the park in April. It features a variety of plant-related activities, including talks and demonstrations by botanists, gardening workshops and a market selling plants, seeds and gardening equipment.