Le Jardin des Plantes - Muséum national d'histoire naturelle

The Jardin des Plantes is located in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, on Place Valhubert. Its main entrance faces Quai Saint-Bernard, along the River Seine. The garden is easily accessible by metro via Gare d’Austerlitz, just a few minutes’ walk away. It is bordered by Rue Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire and Rue Cuvier, amongst others.

Entry to the gardens is completely free for all visitors, every day of the year. The outdoor areas, such as the School of Botany, the rose garden, the iris garden, the alpine garden and the flowerbeds along the perspective, are freely accessible. However, there is an admission charge for certain areas within the garden: the Menagerie with its animals, the Great Greenhouses and the galleries of the National Museum of Natural History.

The closing times for the Jardin des Plantes vary depending on the season. In summer, the garden closes at 7.45 pm, whilst in winter, it closes at 5.15 pm. Please note that visitors are asked to leave 15 minutes before closing time, and entry is no longer permitted once this process begins. In the event of bad weather, opening hours may be subject to change.

The Jardin des Plantes is easily accessible by public transport. Metro line 5 and the RER C serve Gare d’Austerlitz station, a stone’s throw from the Place Valhubert entrance. The bus is also a convenient option, with lines 57, 61, 67 and 89 stopping nearby. The entrance on the Quai Saint-Bernard side is accessible from Jussieu station (lines 7 and 10), about a five-minute walk away.

Allow at least two hours to explore the garden’s outdoor areas, including the flowerbeds, the alpine garden and the ecological garden. If you also wish to visit the Menagerie and its animals, the Great Greenhouses or one of the galleries of the National Museum of Natural History, you should allow a full half-day, or even a whole day, to enjoy each area at your leisure.

The Jardin des Plantes is home to two Grandes Serres open to the public, both of which require an admission fee. The winter garden, built in 1937, rises beneath 16-metre-high iron vaults and is home to lush tropical plants such as orchids, banana trees and ficus. The Mexican greenhouse, known as the square greenhouse, is home to succulent plants adapted to dry climates, including numerous cacti and euphorbias.

Parking by car near the Jardin des Plantes is possible thanks to several underground car parks in the area. The Austerlitz car park, located on Boulevard de l’Hôpital, is one of the closest. The Jussieu car park, on Rue des Fossés-Saint-Bernard, is also a good option. On-street parking is limited in this part of the 5th arrondissement, so it is best to use a pay-and-display car park to avoid any unpleasant surprises.