Paris Zoological Park

Commonly referred to as the "Vincennes Zoo" due to its location near the woods of the same name, the Paris zoological park has been the favorite zoo of three generations of children dazzled by the sight of the large exotic animals that the park hosts. Created in 1934 by the National Museum of Natural History, this vast zoological park is now fully part of the history of the capital, which has seen it succeed, grow, gradually become dilapidated, and then rise from its ashes, completely transformed.

Opening and early successes of the zoo

On the occasion of the colonial exhibition of 1931, a temporary zoo was opened to introduce Parisians to exotic animals from all corners of the world. The zoo was a resounding success with the French public, and the City of Paris decided to partner with the Museum of Natural History to build a real permanent zoological park in the Vincennes woods.

The architect chosen to carry out the project was largely inspired by the German zoo in Hamburg, which opened nearly 30 years earlier. This architectural model would indeed become a sensation throughout Europe and the United States. The great artificial rock that stands in the middle of the park has become the symbol of the "Vincennes Zoo." It is indeed one of the main decorative elements of the park, but it primarily serves to simply hide the interior lodges and technical facilities with a natural-looking decor. Another innovation: the traditional bars of the cages were removed in favor of moats that allow for more direct interaction with the animals and give visitors the impression of seeing them in their natural environment.

This new zoo quickly became very popular, with the Parisian public flocking to observe animals, especially large mammals such as rhinoceroses, giraffes, and elephants. The zoological park also houses a good number of endangered species. You can admire okapis, nocturnal lemurs, sea lions, or even giant pandas. The park is committed to helping preserve these species, but by the early 1980s, the facilities began to show signs of aging and wear that alarmed the organizers.

Major renovations of the zoo

However, it would take until 1994 for the great rock to be renovated, and until 2002 for the Museum of Natural History to take safety measures. Some facilities were therefore closed to the public, and certain animals, no longer able to be housed safely, were transferred to other zoos. In 2005, real measures were taken, and the park entered a long period of construction. Dilapidated and too cramped for the type of residents it housed, the Vincennes Zoo had little choice but to completely close its doors in November 2008. First, all the animals had to be evacuated from the park, and finally, two years later, the major renovations began. The enclosures and layout were completely redesigned.

On April 12, 2014, the Vincennes Zoo, renamed the Paris Zoological Park, reopened its doors after almost six years of closure, including 27 months of work. Today, the park is divided into five biozones, which are the major natural habitats of the animals: Patagonia, Savanna-Sahel, Europe, Guiana, and Madagascar. The Paris zoological park now covers a surface area of nearly 15 hectares, still features its great rock standing 65 meters high, and houses a superb greenhouse of 4000 m² that replicates the weather conditions of an equatorial environment.

Also remember to book your tickets for the Paris Zoological Park in advance.