Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
9am-6.30pm Apr-Oct,
shorter hours rest of year; Gare d'Austerlitz, Censier Daubenton or Jussieu)
Like the Jardin des Plantes in which it's located, this 1000-animal zoo is more than a tourist
attraction, also doubling as a research centre for the reproduction of rare and endangered
species. During the Prussian siege of 1870, the animals of the day were themselves en-
dangered, when almost all were eaten by starving Parisians.
Do note that the recently renovated
zoo
in Vincennes is considerably larger.
MUSEUM
MUSÉE DE LA SCULPTURE EN PLEIN AIR
Along quai St-Bernard, this open-air sculpture museum (also known as the Jardin Tino
Rossi) has more than 50 late-20th-century unfenced sculptures, and makes a great picnic
spot. A salad beneath a César or a baguette beside a Brancusi is a pretty classy way to see
the Seine up close.
HISTORIC BUILDING
COLLÈGE DES BERNARDINS
10am-6pm Mon-Sat,
2-6pm Sun; Maubert Mutualité or Cardinal Lemoine)
Dating back to 1248, this former Cistercian college originally served as living quarters and
place of study for novice monks. Following a decade of renovations, it reopened in 2008 as
an art gallery and centre for Christian culture with events ranging from lectures to film
screenings and music performances.
