Jardin d’Acclimatation is a popular amusement park that attracts both locals and visitors. Have a family day out and enjoy its entertaining offerings, which include a menagerie, numerous fairground rides, a house of mirrors, a playground and a puppet theatre.
Explore the amusement park’s dark history. It was originally built as a zoo and was inaugurated by Napoleon III in 1860. During the Siege of Paris in 1870 and 1871, the city experienced a famine and many of the zoo’s animals were killed and eaten. From 1877 until the early decades of the 20th century, the park was used as a “human zoo” and people from various ethnic groups, including Nubians and Kalmyks, were exhibited here. As demand for these exploitative exhibits fell, the zoo reverted back to animals.
Feel your heart pumping as you make use of the Jardin d’Acclimatation’s many rides. Whirl around roundabouts, hop on merry-go-rounds and cruise around on bumper cars. Enjoy numerous other attractions including a selection of small roller coasters and a large playground, where kids can cool down under sprinklers during summer.
Visit the menagerie to see animals including sheep, rabbits, roosters and llamas. Stroll through the herb and vegetable garden, which teaches children where food comes from and introduces them to the joys of gardening.
Embark on a boat ride, board a miniature train to travel through the grounds or take a pony ride. Visit the house of mirrors, puppet theatre and various workshops that cover topics including cooking and magic.
Find a table at one of the several on-site restaurants where you can enjoy lunch or bring your own picnic and sit down to eat on the expansive lawns of the adjacent Bois de Boulogne public park.
Jardin d'Acclimatation is located in the northern section of Bois de Boulogne in the 16th arrondissement. The nearest metro station is Les Sablons. There is a small entrance fee each ride or attraction has an additional fee. The zoo is open daily, but opening hours change throughout the year so it’s worth checking ahead.
