8JARDIN D’AGRONOMIE TROPICALE the history of immigration in France since RENÉ DUMONT the 19th century from an economic, social and cultural perspective. Visitors can also bear witness to their personal story by donating documents, photos or objects to the ‘Gallery of Gifts’. Temporary exhibitions, shows, conferences and film series are also programmed. 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. The This amazing exotic garden dates back to museum will be closed for renovation work 1899: it was created by agronomists who from 7 Dec 2020 (the temporary exhibition will carried out experiments on the reproduc- stay open). Reopening scheduled for autumn tion of plants from the colonies (coffee, 2021. Full rate: €6. cocoa, vanilla, bananas … )! In 1907, it was www.histoire-immigration.fr converted into five villages for the Colonial Exhibition, vestiges of which remain (pavil- ions, doorways … ). Today it is a pleasant and unusual place to stroll. 45 bis av. de la Belle-Gabrielle, Bois de Vincennes (12th). RER A Nogent-sur-Marne. Daily. Opening times vary according to season. Free. www.paris.fr 9AQUARIUM TROPICAL The Palais de la Porte Dorée is a listed his- ontheoutskirts toricalbuilding in the art deco style, built for the international Colonial Exhibition of 1931. Since then, it has housed the tropical THE MARNE RIVER BENDS aquarium, which is home to thousands of There is nothing like a trip along the river for animals, from hundreds of species, from all discovering the exceptional natural beauty the continents: ‘primitive’ or electric fish, of the Marne riverbanks. The guinguettes crocodiles, unicornfish or piranhas! You can (open-air cafes with dancing) are synony- even see extremely rare albino alligators. mous with local popular culture and mer- Palais de la Porte Dorée. 293 av. Daumesnil riment, and Sundays at the water’s edge (12th). M Porte Dorée.o 01 53 59 58 60. during the belle époque. Nature lovers enjoy The aquarium is closed for renovation work. practising water sports here. Reopening scheduled for March 2021. All tours and activities on: www.aquarium-tropical.fr www.tourisme-valdemarne.com DID YOU KNOW? The Republican Guard, one of whose quarters is located near to the Château de Vincennes, is descended from the 10MUSÉE NATIONAL DE L’HISTOIRE armed forces that were responsible for DE L’IMMIGRATION the security of the kings of France. Its Like the tropical aquarium, this national ancestor, the royal watch, had been cre- museum of the history of immigration is ated by Saint Louis in 1254. housed in the Palais de la Porte Dorée. The permanent exhibition ‘Repères’ looks at SOUTH-EAST PARIS | 71