Jardin des Plantes

The Jardin des Plantes is situated in the 5ème arrondissement, Paris, on the left bank of the river Seine. It is the main botanical garden in France. It covers 28 hectares.

The Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle is situated within the garden. It is made up of four galleries: the Grande Galerie de l'Evolution, the Mineralogy Museum, the Paleontology Museum and the Entomology Museum.

In addition to the gardens there is also an aquarium and a small zoo. The garden was originally planted by Guy de La Brosse, Louis XIII's physician, in 1626 as a medicinal herb garden. It was originally known as the Jardin du Roi. In 1650 it opened to the public.

The Comte de Buffon became the curator in 1739 and he expanded the gardens greatly, adding a maze which remains today.

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