The Jardin d’Acclimatation is the best amusement park for children in Paris. The park covers 20 hectares and is situated on the northern fringe of the Bois de Boulogne near the suburb of Neuilly-sur-Seine.
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A brief description of the Jardin d’Acclimatation
The park is a cross between a funfair, a zoo, a garden and a large playground. Children are spoilt for choice with many rides: from merry-go-rounds, bumper cars, go-karts, distorting mirrors, a zip line and a mini-canal ride (la rivière enchantée). Poney, donkey and camel rides are organised through the park’s walkways.

The park features a cute scaled-down farm reminiscent of Marie-Antoinette’s hamlet in Versailles. It is possible to reach the park from Porte Maillot where a little train connects the visitors to the Jardin d’Acclimatation every 15 minutes.
A bit of history
Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie inaugurated the park on the 6th of October as a zoo after 15 years of work. Originally called Jardin Zoologique d’Acclimatation, the park was a successful attraction under the direction of Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, housing some 110,000 animals. Legend has it that, during the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) and the siege of Paris, chef Alexandre Étienne Choron cooked many animals, including the zoo’s two elephants Castor and Pollux.

During the Third Republic (especially from 1877 to 1912) the Jardin d’Acclimatation houses a ‘human zoo’. It presented some thirty ethnological exhibitions showing the customs of lifetimes of non-European indigenous peoples such as Nubians, Zulus and Kanaks.
After World War Two, the park became more family-oriented with fewer funfair rides but more playful attractions and instructive features such as educational workshops.
What to see in the Jardin d’Acclimatation
From rides to playgrounds and a mini-farm, there is much to discover in this family-friendly park.
The rides
The rides found in the park were installed for children of all ages. They include merry-go-rounds, bumper cars, go-karts, distorting mirrors, a zip line and a mini-canal ride (la rivière enchantée).



The little Norman farm

The Jardin d’Acclimatation has a little farm area which is very popular among children. A few Norman-style half-timbered buildings house a tea room and stables. Reminiscent of the Queen’s hamlet in Versailles or in Chantilly, the setting of the farm is beautiful. There are several favourite farm animals such as cows, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks…






The kitchen garden
The small kitchen garden (le potager) contains several native European plants: strawberries, raspberries, lettuce, and herbs.



The aviary
Next to the kitchen garden is the aviary (la Grande Volière) where many various birds are kept. Peacocks, ducks and other birds are not in cages and roam free across the park.


The playgrounds
There are many playgrounds for all ages scattered across the park with many swings, slides, and roundabouts (tourniquets). There is a water play area for kids in the warm months of Summer.


The Seoul garden
This landscaped garden was offered by the City of Seoul to Paris in 2002 to celebrate the deep friendship between the two capitals.


The Louis Vuitton Foundation

The Jardin d’Acclimatation offers unexpected views over the Fondation Louis Vuitton which often emerge from above the tops of the trees. The huge modern structure was designed by Frank Gehry as a ‘cloud resting on water’. This new Paris landmark was opened in 2014 and now houses art exhibits. Admission to the Foundation includes entry to the Jardin d’Acclimatation.


More info about the Jardin d’Acclimatation
- The park is open daily.
- Ticket sales times: from 10 am to 7 pm except for Fridays when the cashier booth is open until 10 pm.
- Attractions are open Monday-Friday until 7 pm; weekends, bank holidays, and school vacations until 8 pm
- Get your eTicket to the Jardin d’Acclimatation
- More practical information about the Jardin d’Acclimatation and how to get there.