Jardin+Des+Plantes

=Jardin Des Plantes=

The Jardin Des Plantes is known as one of the greatest places in Paris to walk and relax in the heart of the city, the world's foremost botanical gardens. In 1635, King Louis XIII founded the Jardin Des Plantes, but it was originally the Royal Garden of Medicinal Plants. Guy de la Brosse designed the beautiful garden and planted the plants. The garden first opened to the public in 1650.

Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon became the curator in 1739. He expanded the gardens greatly. There was also a maze he built, which still remains today. The Royal Mengarie was moved from Versailleshere to the Jardin Des Plantes in 1792. In 1693, he appointed Dr. Guy Crescent Fagon as overseer of the gardens. He chose some of the finest botanists of the Era to assist with the administration of the gardens, The Jardin Des Plantes then grew immensely with their help.

Today, it occupies about 70 acres right on the Left Bank of the River Seine. There are about 23,500 species of plants planted all throughout the greenhouses and by where people mainly walk. The main and well known plants in the garden include: cacti, grasses, bromeliads, orchids, ferns, aroids, Austrailian Flora, alpine plants, irises, cannas, and conifers. The herbarium maintained at the garden, consists of over 6,000,000 dried specimens. A botanical library, a small zoo, a labyrinth, and several distinct natural history exhibits are currently available to visit at the Jardin Des Plantes.