The jardin d’acclimatation (acclimatization Garden) is a hidden treasure of the Parisian region. This Garden, located in the Bois de Boulogne, has been recently renewed, and now offers many new attractions, some free play areas, many activities for nature lovers and lots of others interesting things for all the family. Here you have a complete guide to this wonderful place: access, opening hours, prices, pathways and all the necessary information to enjoy your journey and have a great time.
Location and access
The Garden is located in the north-west part of the city, next to the Bois de Boulogne, and there are many means of transportation that serve it.
To get there, you can take metro line 1 to La Défense, and get off at Les Sablons station.
Once you are at this station, take exit number two, and you will find the Garden entrance 150 meters away.
If you prefer buses, you can take bus number 244, and get off at the Jardin d’acclimatation stop, but pay attention because this line only serves this stop on weekends and holidays.
If you want to visit the Garden on working days, there are six bus lines that serve a nearby stop: 43, 73, 82, 93, PC1 and 174.
If you want to come by car, the nearest parking is at Palais des Congrès.
History of the Jardin d’Acclimatation
The jardin d’acclimatation is a French-styled English Garden. It was inaugurated on October 6th 1860 by Napoleon III and the Empress Eugenie at the Bois de Boulogne. The Garden owes its origins to the Société Impériale Zoologique d’Acclimatation (Imperial Zoological Acclimatisation Society). It opened to the public on 9th October, after 15 months of work, to welcome every section of Parisian society.
During the Franco-Prussian war of 1870, the city was completely encircled by enemies, and the most precious animals were sent to zoos in other regions of France and were replaced by livestock (cows and sheep) intended to feed the citizens. This was a provisional solution because the length of the siege and the icy cold caused a terrible famine.
In 1872, after the end of the war, the Garden reopened its doors to delight its visitors with new attractions. In 1910, it decided to change its perspective and to concentrate on entertainment, so it took the Tivoli Park in Copenhagen as its example, and brought in new and modern rides. However, the Second World War brought the Jardin’s momentum to a halt. We would have to wait until 1950 to see a new stage in its development.
The Garden today
In 1995, the LVMH acquired a concession to renew the Garden and transform it into the third theme park in France after Disneyland and Astérix, but always preserving its historical spirit as an ancient Napoleonian park.
To do so, it was renewed and officially reopened on June 1st 2018, after almost one year of work and improvements.
Nowadays, the Garden has around 40 attractions, including 17 activities, 12 refreshment points for all tastes and all budgets, and 18 hectares of nature.
It welcomes all members of the public and is the ideal place for a family or friends’ day out. It is open all year, and organizes events, workshops and shows for everybody.
To book a workshop: +33 (0) 1 40 67 99 05
Opening hours
The Jardin d’acclimatation is open every day:
– From January 1st to April 30th, it is open from 10:00 to 18:00
– From April 14th to September 30th, it is open from 10:00 to 19:00
Except for school holidays, public holidays and weekends, when the Garden is open from 10:00 to 20:00.
– From October 1st to December 31st, the Garden is open from 11:00 to 18:00
Except for school holidays, public holidays and weekends, when the Garden is open from 10:00 to 19:00.
Please remember that the ride’s queues close 30 min before the park closes.
Ticket prices
The park offers different ticket packages and passes:
• To have access to the Garden and free activities, you can buy a single entrance ticket without rides for €5.20 or €2.60 for large families and seniors. To book your entrance ticket online and avoid queuing, click here.
• If you’re visiting the Garden in a group, you have the option to book 10 entrance tickets for €47.
• If you want to discover the Garden and some of its activities, we suggest you buy the Discovery Pass that includes the entrance ticket and three ride tickets for only €11. Click here to book your pass online.
• If you want to enjoy an entire day in the Garden, we recommend you buy the Unlimited Pass that gives you access to all the park attractions for €30. Click here to book your pass online.
Thanks to the free wifi in the park, you have the possibility to buy extra tickets using your smartphone:
• €2.9 per unit
• €35 for 15 attraction tickets
• €70 for 50 attraction tickets
Buy a beat-the-queues ticket at the Garden and avoid queuing for the entrance.
Don’t forget that entry is free for:
• Children under 3 years old
• Reduced mobility persons and those accompanying
• RSA’s beneficiaries (upon presentation of a supporting document)
Remember that the entrance to the Garden is included in your ticket for the Fondation Louis Vuitton.
What to see and what to do in the Garden
The Garden offers many activities for all types of people.
You can have a walk on its pathways (€5 entrance), but you can also enjoy the 24 rides or the 5 free play areas such as the forestry adventure, the distorting mirrors, the dry fountain, the bear’s den and the paddling pool.
There are also two game stands and 11 activities for nature lovers such as the grande voliere, the pony riding, the donkey and camel riding, the empress’s Belvedere, the Korean Garden, the vegetable Garden, the alpine rock, the apiary, the acrobatic trail and the small farm.
And as if all of this was not enough, you can also enjoy two different spectacles: the Guignol Theater (free) and the magical performance (three tickets per tour).
For further information about the Garden and its activities, click here.
Remember:
• No bikes, skates, rollers and pets are allowed inside the Garden.
• Unaccompanied children under 12 years old cannot enter the Garden.
For further ideas about family activities, please visit:
• 10 Family Activities Ideas to Do Just Outside Paris
• What to Do With Kids in Paris? List Of Activities They Will Love
If you love nature and walks, here we have something for you:
• Top 10 of the Most Beautiful Parks and Gardens in Paris
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