Harper's Young People, September 28, 1880 An Illustrated Weekly

In the heart of Paris’s famed Bois de Boulogne lies a hidden oasis where the city’s children gather each summer: the Jardin d’Acclimatation. Far from the roar of lions and tigers, this quiet corner houses creatures that have been gently introduced to French soil—goats, reindeer, antelopes, and even a curious kangaroo perched on its haunches. Strolling among manicured lawns and sparkling ponds, youngsters can pet friendly dogs, watch playful ponies, and feed graceful swans that glide by the summer‑houses.

The garden began as a scientific experiment in 1854, when a Parisian society set out to bring useful animals and plants from around the world to a forty‑acre plot. Over the years it has grown into a living museum, with aviaries, aquaria, and a silk‑worm nursery, all designed to make the exotic feel at home. For a generation of Parisian families, the Jardin d’Acclimatation offered an educational adventure, letting children marvel at the diversity of nature without ever leaving the city.