• GALLERY OF EVOLUTION: 36 rue Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire (5th). M Jussieu.o Daily: 10am-6pm, except Tues, 1 Jan, 1 May and 25 Dec. Full rate: €10. Gallery of Evolution + temporary exhibition/full rate: €12. http://grandegaleriedelevolution.fr • MÉNAGERIE, THE ZOO OF THE JARDIN DES PLANTES: Daily: 9am-6pm (summer; 6.30pm Sun and public holidays), 9am- 5pm (winter). Full rate: €13. www.zoodujardindesplantes.fr • CHILDREN’S GALLERY, GALLERY OF MINERALOGY AND GEOLOGY, GALLERY OF PALAEONTOLOGY AND Muséum COMPARATIVE ANATOMY, GRANDES SERRES and BOTANICAL GALLERY: days and opening times vary, contact the venue for information. National d’Histoire Naturelle around Muséum d’Histoire Naturel le Set aside at least a half-day for the Natu- ral History Museum. On the site of the first 13Institut du Monde Arabe public Parisian park (1640), walkers and Behind its glass and steel facade where joggers take advantage of the green spaces sunlight causes the moucharaby to open in the Jardin des Plantes, amidst hundred- and close, come and admire the fascinating year-old trees. The site includes three gal- exhibitions of the Institut du Monde Arabe. leries,each with a specific focus. In the The building, designed by Jean Nouvel and Botanical Gallery, discover collections of Architecte Studio, is a wonderful showcase plant and fruit species brought back from for the diversity and wealth of the Arab- numerous expeditions. Children are sure to Islamic civilization, from its origins to the be in awe of the skeletons of dinosaurs and present day. For one of the most beautiful mammoths in the Gallery of Palaeontology views of the capital, visit the 9th floor ter- and Comparative Anatomy. Precious stones race of the building with its panoramic vis- once belonging to the royal collections, tas. The museum also has a rich and diverse minerals and giant crystals are housed in cultural programme with shows, concerts the Gallery of Mineralogy and Geology. and debates. Stop by the Ménagerie (a zoo) where you 1 rue des Fossés Saint-Bernard (5th). can observe 200 species of animals rang- M Jussieu.o 01 40 51 38 38. Tues to Fri: ing from red pandas and snow leopards to 10am-6pm. Sat, Sun and public holidays: 10am- turtles and crocodiles. After the fauna, lush 7pm. Closed Mon and 1 May. Permanent flora can be admired in the Grandes Serres collections/full rate: €8. Temporary exhibitions/ (glasshouses). No visit is complete without a full rate: €12. www.imarabe.org trip to the spectacular Gallery of Evolution where stuffed marine mammals and large land mammals (elephants, giraffes, zebras, etc.) can be seen. The Children’s Gallery is for 6 to 12 year-olds. Place Valhubert (5th). M Gare d’Austerlitz.o 01 40 79 54 79/56 01. www.mnhn.fr • JARDIN DES PLANTES: Daily: 7.30am-7.45pm (summer), 8am-5.15pm (winter). Free. www.jardindesplantes.net 34 THE LEFT BANK