Jardin d'Acclimatation Paris 34 copyright French Moments

Last Updated: 13 July 2022

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.

Get your eTicket to the Jardin d’Acclimatation

 

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 entrance to the Jardin d'Acclimatation (Entrée des Sablons) © French Moments
The entrance to the Jardin d’Acclimatation (Entrée des Sablons) © French Moments

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.

Indigenious people from the French Guiana exhibited at the Jardin d'Acclimatation in 1892
Indigenious people from French Guiana were exhibited at the Jardin d’Acclimatation in 1892

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).

Un tour de manège ! At the Jardin d'Acclimatation © French Moments
Un tour de manège ! © French Moments
A Disney-theme ride in the Jardin d'Acclimatation © French Moments
A Disney-theme ride © French Moments
Merry-go-Round themed on the Greek Mythology, Paris © French Moments
Merry-go-Round themed on the Greek Mythology © French Moments

 

The little Norman farm

The Norman farm, Paris © French Moments
The thatched cottage at the Norman farm © French Moments

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 Norman farm, Jardin d'Acclimatation © French Moments
Lamas in Normandy? or in Paris? © French Moments
The charming country-like view from a little bridge. It's hard to believe we are in Paris! © French Moments
The charming country-like view from a little bridge. It’s hard to believe we are in Paris! © French Moments
The Norman farm, Paris © French Moments
The Norman farm © French Moments
The goats' shed of the Norman farm © French Moments
The goats’ shed of the Norman farm © French Moments
Aimée looking at the goats, Jardin d'Acclimatation © French Moments
Aimée looking at the goats © French Moments
Rooster roaming free in the Jardin d'Acclimatation © French Moments
Rooster roaming free © French Moments

 

The kitchen garden

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

The kitchen garden of the Jardin d'Acclimatation © French Moments
The kitchen garden © French Moments
Raspberries, Jardin d'Acclimatation © French Moments
Delicious raspberries coming up! © French Moments
Lettuce growing at the kitchen garden © French Moments
Lettuce growing at the kitchen garden © French Moments

 

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.

A male peacock roaming free in the park © French Moments
A male peacock roaming free in the park © French Moments
Do you know the name of this bird? Bois de Boulogne © French Moments
Do you know the name of this bird? © French Moments

 

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.

Swings at the Jardin d'Acclimatation © French Moments
Swings at the playground © French Moments
Adventureland at the Jardin d'Acclimatation! © French Moments
Adventureland at the park! © French Moments

 

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 Seoul Garden © French Moments
The Seoul Garden © French Moments
The Seoul Garden, Paris © French Moments
Part of the Seoul Garden © French Moments

 

The Louis Vuitton Foundation

The monumental Fondation Louis Vuitton © French Moments
The monumental Fondation Louis Vuitton © French Moments

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.

The Fondation Louis Vuitton © French Moments
The roof of the Louis Vuitton Foundation © French Moments
The Fondation Louis Vuitton © French Moments
The Louis Vuitton Foundation © French Moments

 

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.

Map of the Jardin d'Acclimatation


Gems of Paris by French Moments
About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

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