La Ménagerie, le zoo du Jardin des Plantes

This intimate zoo feels more like wandering through a Victorian naturalist's private collection than a modern zoo. The historic rotunda houses massive Galápagos tortoises in glass-domed chambers, while the art deco reptile house displays vipers and pythons in original 1920s terrariums. The real stars are the red pandas lounging in century-old enclosures and the surprisingly large collection of endangered birds, including flamingos that have nested here since the 1950s.

The layout follows winding 19th-century pathways between ornate pavilions, each dedicated to different animal groups. You'll spend most time in the elaborate indoor habitats - the monkey house with its soaring glass ceiling, the vivarium's maze of climate-controlled rooms, and the big cat area where snow leopards pace behind original iron bars. The outdoor enclosures feel cramped by today's standards, but the historical architecture makes every building fascinating.

Honestly, this isn't about seeing animals in spacious, natural habitats - it's about experiencing zoo history. The enclosures are small and some feel dated, but that's exactly the point. Skip the playground area entirely and focus on the reptile house and rotunda, which showcase the best of both the animal collection and architectural heritage. Allow extra time for the monkey house, where the 1930s tilework alone is worth the visit.