8Jardin d’Agronomie Tropicale Palais de la Porte Dorée. 293 av. Daumesnil (12th). M Porte Dorée.o 01 53 59 58 60. Daily: 10am-5.30pm (Sat and Sun: until 7pm), except Mon, 1 Jan, 1 May and 25 Dec. Full rate: €5/€7 (outside/during temporary exhibitions). ‘Palais’ ticket (Aquarium + Musée de l’Histoire de l’Immigration)/full rate: €8/€9-€10 (outside/ during temporary exhibitions). www.aquarium-tropical.fr 10Musée National de l’Histoire This amazing exotic garden dates back to de l’Immigration 1899: it was created by agronomists who Like the tropical aquarium, this national carried out experiments on the reproduc- museum of the history of immigration is tion of plants from the colonies (coffee, housed in the Palais de la Porte Dorée. The cocoa, vanilla, bananas ... )! In 1907, it was permanent exhibition ‘Repères’ looks at the converted into five villages for the Colonial history of immigration in France since the Exhibition, vestiges of which remain (pavil- 19th century from an economic, social and ions, doorways ... ). Today it is a pleasant and cultural perspective. Visitors can also bear unusual place to stroll. witness to their personal story by donating ur 45 bis av. de la Belle-Gabrielle, Bois de documents, photos or objects to the ‘Gallery Vincennes (12th). RER A Nogent-sur-Marne. of Gifts’. Temporary exhibitions, shows, confer- Daily. Opening times vary according to ences and film series are also programmed. season. Free. www.paris.fr Palais de la Porte Dorée. 293 av. Daumesnil ur (12th). M Porte Dorée.o 01 53 59 58 60. 9Aquarium Tropical Daily: 10am-5.30pm (Sat and Sun: until 7pm), except Mon, 1 Jan, 1 May and 25 Dec. Full rate: €4.50/€6 (outside/during temporary exhibitions). ‘Palais’ ticket (Musée de l’Histoire de l’Immigration + Aquarium)/full rate: €8/ €9-€10 (outside/during temporary exhibitions). www.histoire-immigration.fr The Palais de la Porte Dorée is a listed his- torical building in the art deco style, built for the international Colonial Exhibition of 1931. Since then, it has housed the tropical aquarium, which is home to thousands of animals, from hundreds of species, from all the continents: ‘primitive’ or electric fish, ontheoutskirts crocodiles, unicornfish or piranhas! You can even see extremely rare albino alligators. The Marne river bends DID YOU KNOW? There is nothing like a trip along the river for discovering the exceptional natural beauty The Republican Guard, one of whose of the Marne riverbanks. The guinguettes quarters is located near to the Château (open-air cafes with dancing) are synony- de Vincennes, is descended from the mous with local popular culture and mer- armed forces that were responsible for riment, and Sundays at the water’s edge the security of the kings of France. Its during the belle époque. Nature lovers enjoy ancestor, the royal watch, had been cre- practising water sports here. ated by Saint Louis in 1254. All tours and activities on: www.tourisme-valdemarne.com 66 SOUTH-EAST PARIS l. . i a