The Jardin des Plantes Paris
Apr 14, 2025

The Jardin des Plantes Paris

A Four-Season Symphony

""The Jardin des Plantes" is my favorite all-season part of Paris - it's probably because it truly is a 'jardin', with no intention of becoming a 'parc'..."

Parisian parks are another classic example of the French paradox. Usually heart-achingly beautiful, they are also often fantastically impractical and over-regulated. Like many aspects of the city, they are there primarily to be looked at, and not somewhere that you can run around and enjoy yourself. So given this fact, why is the Jardin des Plantes still my favourite part of Paris? Probably because it truly is a Jardin with no intention of becoming a Parc, making it stand out from its Luxembourg and Tuileries sisters.

Living in a city it is sometimes easy to miss the passing of the seasons, but when I go to the Jardin des Plantes I can see, feel and smell whether it is spring or autumn. It is perhaps at its best in spring, but the recently reopened greenhouses also bring warmth on a winter day! Often I come here simply to breathe and charge my batteries, but for the more adventurous there is also the world's oldest zoo and a selection of museums related to nature and geology. There are also several refreshment kiosks and a more upmarket restaurant.

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

About this spot

Rue Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire

free

Find your way with 168 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Paris guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Paris

La Mouette Rieuse Paris

La Mouette Rieuse

Out of the box bookshop

"La Mouette Rieuse" in Paris is an atypical bookshop. I like it because of the books & gadgets one can find there. I always find it surprising & joyful!

002-building
Art & culture
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Constan

Longares Barrio

May 5, 2025
Ourcq Neighbourhood Paris

Ourcq Neighbourhood

Street art

The neighbourhood of Ourcq in Paris hosts the Ourcq Living Colors Festival every year. The street art pieces change annually, so come see what's new!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Constan

Longares Barrio

May 3, 2025
Swiss Cultural Centre Paris

Swiss Cultural Centre

Culture, books, exhibits

The "Swiss Cultural Centre" in Le Marais, Paris is a welcome change of pace from the global brands surrounding it, a jewel of foreign culture in the city.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Constan

Longares Barrio

May 2, 2025
Chercheminippes Paris

Chercheminippes

Second-hand pioneers!

The Marais in Paris is best known for its second-hand clothing shops, but "Chercheminippes" and its six shops have been innovating for half a century...

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Alix

Mengin

Apr 28, 2025
Miznon Paris

Miznon

Boeuf bourguignon in-a-pita

"Miznon" in Paris had the absolute genius idea of combining the traditional pita with a great French classic - the bœuf bourguignon! Great lunch spot.

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Alix

Mengin

Apr 28, 2025
Pizzeria Popolare Paris

Pizzeria Popolare

Pizza napoletana

"Pizzeria Popolare" in central Paris makes authentic pizza napoletana. Come here if you don't mind queuing up and want the most affordable pizza around.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Constan

Longares Barrio

Apr 28, 2025

La Bellevilloise

Events of all kinds

"La Bellevilloise" is a cultural centre in Paris with a bar & a restaurant. They have a fantastic variety of activities & it goes back to the 19th cen.

002-building
Art & culture
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Constan

Longares Barrio

Apr 28, 2025

Le YONO

Cocktails and shows

"Le YONO" in Le Marais in Paris is a cafe/bar hosted in the porch of a house & the bar is under a glass ceiling. I actually love their 'crazy Thursdays'.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Constan

Longares Barrio

Apr 28, 2025
L’Atelier Geneviève Paris

L’Atelier Geneviève

Ceramicafé

"L’Atelier Geneviève" is a 'ceramicafé' - here you can decorate your own ceramics w/ a coffee or breakfast. They even have kintsugi workshops!

002-building
Art & culture
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Alix

Mengin

Apr 25, 2025
Le Bouillon Chartier Paris

Le Bouillon Chartier

Art nouveau restaurant

" Le Bouillon Chartier" is a remarkable relic of the old modernist-style Paris. Classic French cuisine, nicely decorated mirrors, tiles & sculptures...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Constan

Longares Barrio

Apr 25, 2025
Le Merle Moqueur bookshop Paris

Le Merle Moqueur bookshop

Artsy bookshop

The bookshop is in an old car repair shop, which its owner transformed into a welcoming and open space where book presentations and talks take place.

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Constan

Longares Barrio

Apr 24, 2025
Land & Monkeys Paris

Land & Monkeys

Mastering the vegan croissant

"Land & Monkeys" in Paris makes 100% vegan croissants & other French staples. Is such a thing possible, you ask? Oh yes...

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Alix

Mengin

Apr 24, 2025

Heading to Paris?

168 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to Paris?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

168 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves Paris

Get to know our other Spotters from Paris

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
30
Filters