Classified as historical monuments since 1993, the Great Greenhouses of the Jardin des Plantes are a must-see for lovers of botany and unusual walks in Paris.

These structures, rich in history, house exotic ecosystems that surprise with their diversity and richness.

The history of the greenhouses at the Jardin des Plantes begins in the 18th century, when the Royal Garden of Medicinal Plants, created in 1635, saw the arrival of the first structures dedicated to exotic plants.

In 1714, the botanist Antoine de Jussieu supervised the construction of the first heated greenhouse to house a coffee plant presented to Louis XIV.

In the 19th century, the current greenhouses took shape thanks to the architect Charles Rohault de Fleury, a pioneer of metal architecture in France. Between 1834 and 1836, he designed two emblematic greenhouses: the Mexican greenhouse, now the New Caledonia greenhouse , and the Australian greenhouse, which became the greenhouse of plant history .

Made of metal and glass, and heated with steam, they can accommodate botanical collections of exotic plants.

In 1889, a new, larger greenhouse was designed by the architect Jules André as a winter garden.

It was replaced in 1934 by the current greenhouse, designed by the architect René Berger in an Art Deco style.

Known today as the rainforest greenhouse , it remains one of the highlights of the visit.

Upon entering the greenhouse, one immediately feels a change in atmosphere. The warm, humid air gives the impression of having left Paris for a distant tropical rainforest. Under the large glass roof, the soft light highlights the dense vegetation growing in all directions.

Here you will discover plants emblematic of tropical regions: tall banana trees with large, vibrant leaves, cocoa trees with their drooping pods, and vines that climb casually on metal structures.

A large artificial rock at the back of the greenhouse catches the eye. Topped with a waterfall, it is surrounded by ferns and aquatic plants that line a meandering stream.

A few discreet explanatory panels mark the route, giving information on the role of plants in their ecosystem.