Jardin d’acclimatation in Paris

The first zoo of Paris going back to mid 19th century is now a traditional leisure park for children.

In 1854, three scientists got from Emperor Napoleon III, 37.5 acres in the Bois de Boulogne in order to breed different sorts of animals to be used either for industrial, commercial or educationnal purposes. The Jardin d’Acclimatation was inaugurated on october 6, 1854.

Soon this garden counted as many as 100 000 animals such as the first Giraffe ever shown in France, elephants, big cats… ! During the 1870 war, the hunger was so terrible that the Parisians ate all the animals.

For the 1900 Universal Exhibition, a theater of 6000 seats was built nearby Porte Maillot. On may 29, 1909 a “Luna Park” gathering numerous rides opened Porte Maillot such as a “water Chute, “Niagara Jump” “Russian Mountains”… and a mysterious river whose current was generated by a mill that lifted the level of the water. The very same process is used nowadays at the “Riviere Enchantée”.

In 1952, a new firm took over the “Jardin d’Acclimatation” and created the very first family entertainment park in France. It offered both the scientific and educative side inherited from Napoleon III and the entertainment side of Luna Park.

As years went by the “Jardin d’Acclimatation” remained cultural and educationnal: in 1970 creation of a farm whith it’s domestic animals, in 1973 “opening of a Theater” and in 1977 appeared a Museum dedicated to initiate children to Art “Musee en Herbe”.
At the end of the 1990 the same spirit is maintained :

• Creation of a village with rides, the “Guignol”, the “Riviere Enchantée” and the “Maillot Train”…
• Presentation of vegetals and animals of our country side, trees, flowers, birds…
• Modern accomodations as baby-sitting, sports, cultural activities for children…