Photo : FG Grandin MNHN
Visit the Great Greenhouses of the Jardin des Plantes
Nature shows its creativity... From primitive aquatic plants that conquered the land to plants resistant to the desert, delve into the Great Greenhouses, at the heart of a flora with fabulous vitality. A return to the origins... of Mankind!
Jardin des Plantes (Paris 5th)
About
Nature's diversity
You enter with a sense of reverence, through an Art Deco peristyle that feels like a cathedral. And for good reason: the tropical rainforests, highlighted in the first greenhouse, are sanctuaries of biodiversity where a single hectare can harbor hundreds of tree species. From Africa, America, or Southeast Asia, the plants create an idyllic jungle. Wander among banana trees, vines, ferns, and orchids, climb the rockwork to enjoy the view of the greenhouse, and discover the adaptations and functions of plant species.
Fertile imagination
In the long adjacent gallery, the heat is that of deserts and arid environments (United States, Mexico, Sahara, Australia...). For the flora, it is a time to get creative! To withstand aridity, anything goes: burying oneself like pebble plants, storing water in tissues like cacti, or entering a dormant state as seeds during dry periods... From this necessity come strange silhouettes—like the sphere, perfect for saving water—sometimes covered in thorns or hairs. Some plants even resist fire!
Natural Eldorado
Next stop: New Caledonia! This Oceanian archipelago well deserved a dedicated greenhouse. In these long-isolated lands, plants have specialized to the extreme: 76% of species exist nowhere else! A specificity that delights scientists... and museum visitors. The greenhouse presents this flora in all its diversity, across five environments: rainforest, dry forest, mining scrubland, savanna, and mangrove. An opportunity to admire majestic local tree ferns or endemic species that have become extremely rare in the wild.
Back to the roots
A final greenhouse traces the long history of plant evolution, from their conquest of land to the appearance of the flower. An adventure that began at least 430 million years ago, which saw the development of various reproductive processes. Modern representatives of ancient species—ferns, conifers, horsetails—fossil pieces, or reconstructions of extinct plants paint a camaieu of green of haunting beauty. They show how necessary plants are for the formation of the Earth's atmosphere, as well as for the appearance of animal life and therefore... humans.
All these buildings, classified as Historical Monuments, were renovated from 2005 to 2010 during an unprecedented project. The goal? To restore their original appearance and preserve their magic while modernizing their operation. Four greenhouses are now open to the public instead of two. Thanks to a redesigned scenography, they convey an essential message: there is no human life without flora. Yet, preserving all plant diversity is a must. Easier said than done? Every journey begins with a first step. Take it...
Our take on this event
Trade the city bustle for a lush botanical escape inside a collection of stunning 19th-century glass pavilions. From misty tropical forests to sun-drenched arid landscapes, this hidden sanctuary lets you explore rare ecosystems and mind-bending plant evolution right in the heart of the capital.
The Grandes Serres at the Jardin des Plantes offer a unique botanical journey in the heart of Paris. From January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027, explore four historic, monument-listed greenhouses that showcase diverse global ecosystems, ranging from lush tropical rainforests to the arid landscapes of the Sahara and Australia. This immersive experience allows you to discover rare plant species and learn about the essential role of flora in our world's survival. The site is a paid attraction open to the public, providing a fascinating look at biodiversity through a carefully curated sequence of habitats.
Explore the wonders of the Grandes Serres at the Jardin des Plantes, located on Rue Cuvier, Paris. Running from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027, this exhibition invites you to wander through four distinct greenhouses that have been fully restored to their original splendor while modernizing their botanical displays.
The tour begins in the tropical rainforest gallery, where you will encounter vibrant ferns and lianas. Next, you will step into the arid environment of deserts from Mexico to Australia, observing how plants evolve to store water and survive extreme conditions. The journey continues with a dedicated section on New Caledonia, highlighting unique species found nowhere else on Earth, before concluding with an educational tour detailing 430 million years of plant evolution, from ancient conifers to modern flowering plants.
This paid experience is set within historic buildings that serve as a testament to the vital connection between human life and the plant kingdom. Whether you are a science enthusiast or looking for a peaceful escape, these greenhouses offer a profound look at the necessity of preserving global botanical diversity.
