Overview

The Paris Zoological Park (parc zoologique de Paris), formerly known as the Bois de Vincennes Zoological Park, and commonly called the Vincennes Zoo, is a facility of the National Museum of Natural History, located in the 12th arrondissement of Paris, which covers an area of 14.5 hectares (36 acres) in the bois de Vincennes. Designed to complement the Ménagerie du Jardin des plantes, this zoo is dedicated to the observation of animal behavior in a more suitable environment. Since its opening in 1934, it is remarkable for its large artificial 65 m (213 ft) high rock, iconic scenery of the park, visible from afar and popularly called the "Big Rock". This zoo include a greenhouse of 4,000 m2 (43,000 sq ft) sheltering a tropical rainforest climate.