Grande Galerie de l'Évolution with kids

The natural history museum's main gallery stands at one end of the Jardin des Plantes. Inside, a long procession of life-size African animals crosses the central hall, and the galleries around it hold hundreds more specimens. Small children walk around it pointing. That is the visit, and it is enough.

Jardin des PlantesGare d'Austerlitz (M5, M10, RER C)

Tickets

€10per child (3-25)

Adults €13 · free under 3

Go to the official site

There is no ticket partner for this one, so the button goes to the official site.

Best time

Any day except Tuesday. It makes a good wet-weather swap for the zoo.

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The family card

Family card

Minimum ageNo minimumNo minimum

Enjoys from4 years

Duration1h30 – 2h30

StrollerNot confirmed yet

€

Child priceFree under 3 · €10 (ages 3-25) · €13 adult · EU residents under 26 free

Toilets and changingChanging tableChanging tables in the toilets on the ground floor and first floor.

QueueShort queues

☀

Best timeAny day except Tuesday. It makes a good wet-weather swap for the zoo.

Verdict by age

Not a general rating. How each age band actually experiences it.

0-2

Fine

3-5

Great

6-10

Great

11+

Fine

Ages 4 to 10 get the most from it, and the hall is impressive enough to hold a toddler for an hour. Over-11s walk through quickly unless a temporary exhibition catches them. It is calmer and cheaper than the big-name museums.

The permanent gallery is free for under-3s, and for EU residents under 26. Add the garden outside, which is free and has a play area and the Dodo carousel, and you have a half day. The Ménagerie, a small zoo with its own ticket, is in the same garden. The gallery is closed on Tuesdays.

Tips for the visit

The family pass at €52 covers 2 adults over 25 and 2 young people aged 3 to 25, and includes the temporary exhibition.
Free lockers take a €1 coin, which you get back.
Bags larger than 55 x 35 x 20 cm are refused.

Sources

Facts checked on Oct 4, 2026 against these pages: