The Jardin des Plantes in Paris is one of the world’s foremost botanical gardens and a significant historical and scientific site. It was officially founded in 1635 as the Jardin Royal des Plantes Médicinales (Royal Garden of Medicinal Plants) by King Louis XIII, following efforts by Guy de La Brosse, the king’s physician. Initially intended for the cultivation and study of medicinal plants, it was opened to the public in 1640.
Under the direction of prominent figures like Georges-Louis Leclerc (Comte de Buffon) in the 18th century, the garden expanded into a center for scientific research and education. It became associated with leading botanists and zoologists, including Jean-Baptiste Lamarck and Georges Cuvier. The garden also supported numerous scientific expeditions, which enriched its plant collections.
In 1794, during the French Revolution, the Ménagerie (zoo) was established to house animals rescued from abandoned royal menageries. It became one of the oldest zoos in the world and remains part of the garden today.
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the Jardin des Plantes evolved with new buildings, research facilities, and exhibits like the Gallery of Evolution. Today, it spans 28 hectares and includes greenhouses, a herbarium with over six million specimens, a botanical library, and diverse plant collections