Paris Zoological Park, Zoo in Bois de Vincennes, France
Paris Zoological Park is a zoo in the 12th arrondissement, spreading across 14 hectares (35 acres) and recreating lifelike habitats for around 3,000 animals. The site divides into five large geographic zones, each representing a particular ecosystem, from European woodland to Madagascan vegetation.
The zoo opened on June 2, 1934, under the direction of Paul Lemoine, aiming to show the public modern approaches to animal care. A full renovation between 2008 and 2014 renewed all enclosures and reset the institution for the 21st century.
Visitors walk through recreated worlds, from African savannahs to Patagonian coasts, with each zone gathering animals from the same geographic region. This spatial arrangement helps people understand how different species coexist in their original territories.
The facility opens daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and can be reached via Metro station Porte Dorée. Two picnic zones are available for visitors, and adequate shade can be found along most pathways.
An artificial rock, 65 meters (213 feet) tall and built in 1934, serves both as a landmark within the grounds and as the official logo of the zoo. This structure originally housed mountain goats and formed a widely visible marker in the Bois de Vincennes.
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