Natural history & science in Paris

! In paris, Jardins de plantes

Musée des arts et métiers . Just what you're looking for. When I visited about 5 years ago, most of the written explanations were only in French. The audio guide in English was a must and quite good. The binoculars will be useful in churches to get a good look at details - carvings (inside and out) and stained glass.

There may be more birds and plants in the Bois de Boulogne, quieter, less traffic, more green expanses. There used to be bike rentals at the beginning - good way to visit, since it is big.

I second the Jardin des Plantes (Botanical Gardens) and the French National Museum of Natural History - they are together so easy to do both in same visit. I loved the gardens especially because they were laid out systematically and plants were identified.

In addition to the aviary at the Jardin des Plantes, the two other places I remember seeing quite a few birds were at Parc Monceau and Pere Lachaise cemetery.

Jardin des Plantes was on my list of things to do when I did the Paris and HOF tour last Fall. I, too, am a birder (novice) and was going to go look for birds there. I just ran out of time, lol, which is very easy to do in Paris. It's still on the list for next time!

http://www.jardindesplantes.net/fr/jardin/hotes-jardin/oiseaux

I also downloaded the Collins Bird Guide onto my iPad Mini which was helpful.

-You may see some birds around Guedelon as that is a very wooded area.

-In Amboise the hotel was right on the river which was very nice and I did see some shore birds along there. We had time to walk thru the market set up along the river and have lunch, which I did on a bench facing the river. The guide led an optional walk up to Clos Luce, Leonardo Da Vinci's house there in Amboise. The gardens there were very interesting along with models of some of his ideas. Just being where he lived and thought was amazing.

-I did not see as many birds at MSM as I thought I might but the weather was rainy/windy when I visited and not really conducive to standing outside. I actually saw some egrets on the mudflats as we were standing on the causeway waiting for the shuttle bus, so have your binocs out as you go toward and leave MSM.

-The day in Normandy is a very full day. We went down to the beach at Utah as part of Dale Booth's explanation of how the battle was set up and also briefly onto the beach at Omaha. There was not really time to walk on the beach as there is a lot of territory to cover. There was some time after lunch at the Utah Museum to walk back along the sand dunes to the bus parking lot.

-Monet's home at Giverny has, of course, a gorgeous garden and there is time to walk around the small village which has a lot of wooded area surrounding. I didn't see much bird life there (some caged chickens and turkey, lol) but there are so many people it's hard to have a quiet time there.

I did see quite a number of buzzards along the highways from the bus which are the Buteo genus like a Red-tail Hawk.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_buzzard

As I said I am a novice birder and my main difficulty was not always planning ahead enough to have my binocs and iPad with me when I actually saw some birds! I'll manage that better next time.

Have a wonderful time! This is a great tour!

The Louis Pasteur Museum was so interesting though, hours are limited so check in advance. In addition to his home & labs, one can view the crypt where he is buried - pretty amazing!

Here's a really interesting article from the New York Times about the Natural History Museum in Paris, the comments are worth reading as well:

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/07/13/the-skeleton-garden/

Thank you all for your excellent replies. Le Jardin des Plantes is now definitely on my list. It looks like we could stroll right through Le Jardin de Luxembourg on the way from our hotel. And Dave, that New York Times article shows me that I must visit the museum also. As a retired biologist, I have visited many natural history museums, but this would be a pilgrimage.

On my first trip to Paris I stayed at a hotel right across the street from the Jardin des Plantes. It is a lovely spot. Highly recommended.

The Paris Mosque and the Arab Institute are nearby as well, both interesting stops, though off your topic.

There's beekeepers in Paris too:

http://thebeephotographer.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/New-2013-Beekeeping-in-Paris/G0000uSdFXpXT1zc/I0000bz45TR8ZBO0

Looks like the Pasteur museum is closed to individual visitors due to the heightened security. Maybe things will have changed by September--it also looks to be well worth a visit.

Besides the National History Museum (Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle) there are also the Palais de la Découverte and in the north-east corner of Paris close to the Périphérique ring road the Cité des Scienses et de l’Industrie.

http://www.universcience.fr/en/home/

Other two places close to Paris I think just of interest to mention: BIPM (Bureau Internationale des Poids et Mesures in Sèvres where they keep the Standard Kilogram and till 1960 the Standard Meter. But as far as I know the place is not open to public. And the Observatoire de Paris in Meudon, however closed for renovation, no idea how it will be in September.

The Marie Curie museum is really worth it. And as mentioned the Natural History museum is awesome.

Here is a useful site for information about birding in Paris: http://www.flockingsomewhere.com/birdwatching-in-paris/

The Bois de Boulogne is particularly good for birds. If you are into impressionist art, it is convenient to visit this park after seeing the Marmottan Museum.

BTW, I find that binoculars are handy in museums too.

I also recommend the Jardin des Plantes. I visited a couple of years ago on a day when the museum was closed. The park is marvellous, so many different areas and a small zoo that I could peak in to.

Not related to birds, but on the edge of the Luxembourg Gardens is Angelina, the restaurant with the thickest, most fabulous hot chocolate. It is an experience, a bit pricy, but like a dessert served with whipped cream. You must try it. The museum right by the Angelina by Lux Gardens is a lovely small museum; when I visited, there was a Renoir event on. It was so enjoyable.

The Luxembourg Gardens are so marvellous. I love to visit. I usually watch the guys play chess and have had a discreet picnic on a bench surrounded by roses. It is not a sit on the grass kind of place but it was easy to find a small bench and have my bread, cheese and fruit lunch.

I too am taking the same tour later in October. I am already so excited. I have visited Paris many times on my own and will enjoy the Paris portion of the tour too; I learn something every time I go, and the guides are always the best. The last couple of times I did the Louvre on my own (with friends) using Rick's guide.

At the Louvre, do window shop at the shops underneath the museum. The large museum store is just marvellous, the Apple store is there and a couple of Starbucks that have light lunch things if there is time for a sit down after your museum visit. Some of the shops have the coolest things.

Have a great trip.

Oh, I have heard about that hot chocolate and am so excited to learn that I will be within walking distance of it!