Jardin d'Acclimatation

The Jardin d'Acclimatation (20 hectares, 49 acres) is a children's amusement park with a menagerie, the Exploradome museum, and other attractions located in the northern part of the Bois de Boulogne, in Paris.

History

Opened on October 6 1860 by Napoléon III and Empress Eugénie, the "Jardin d'Acclimatation de Paris" or the "Jardin Zoologique d'Aclimatation" as it was first called was a Paris zoo. It was directed by Isidore Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, son of the naturalist Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, until his death in 1861.

From 1877 until 1912, the Jardin Zoologique d'Acclimatation was converted to "l'Acclimatation Anthropologique". In mid-colonialism, the curiosity of Parisians was attracted to the customs and lifestyles of foreign peoples. Nubians, Bushmen, Zulus and many other African peoples were "exhibited" in a human zoo. The exhibitions were a huge success. The number of visitors to the Jardin doubled, reaching the million mark.

Attractions

The park includings an archery range, house of mirrors, miniature-golf course, narrow-gauge train, pony ride, puppet theater, shooting galleries, miniature road system for children operated by the Paris police, an art museum for children (the Musée en Herbe), etc.

References

* http://www.forumdesimages.net/fr/alacarte/htm/ETUDE/LUMIERE/JARDIN_ACCLIMATATION.htm
* http://mondediplo.com/2000/08/07humanzoo

External links

* [http://www.jardindacclimatation.fr/ Official web site]
* [http://www.frommers.com/destinations/paris/A25357.html Jardin d'Acclimatation on frommers.com]