School of botany

In 1635, the Jardin royal des plantes médicinales (Royal Garden of Medicinal Plants), later the Jardin des Plantes, cultivated plants for public educational purposes. These gardens would go on to become the École de botanique (School of Botany) which would introduce the scientific classification of plants.

Over the centuries as science progressed, this classification has been modified. Today, this classification is said to be evolutionary because it gives an account of the evolution of plants over geological time and describes their lineage.  

The plant collection is arranged according to this classification. It illustrates the biodiversity of plants in Europe and other temperate regions around the world.

While the border of the School of Botany is mown, its perimeter is surrounded by a belt of wild plants. A collection of shrubs from various temperate regions of the world runs along the periphery of this garden. At their feet, grasses and wildflowers grow freely, like the edge of a forest.

As such, this perimeter strip is treated as a natural meadow, mowed once a year, allowing flowers and insects to flourish. These insects are the gardener’s valuable helpers, as they prey on plant pests.

The Jardin des Plantes endeavours to adapt their gardening techniques to the requirements of sustainable development.

Even in the city, birds do not need us in order to feed themselves. They know where to find what they need (vitamins, proteins, minerals…).

Giving them bread or biscuits is dangerous for their health and can lead to malformations, intestinal problems and a decrease in reproduction. This inappropriate food also attracts undesirable animals, such as rats, which can attack the eggs and fledglings.

In addition, young birds no longer learn to fend for themselves and migratory species may stay put.

Fish do not need to be fed either. Food that decomposes on the bottom of the water can cause disease and death.