Gallery of Evolution

The Grande Galerie de l'Evolution (Gallery of Evolution) is the crown jewel of Paris's Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle complex, housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century iron-and-glass building within the Jardin des Plantes. If you only visit one science museum in Paris with kids, make it this one.

The central hall is the draw. A massive procession of life-size taxidermied animals crosses the ground floor, African elephants, giraffes, rhinoceroses, zebras, and dozens more, staged as if walking in a great migration. Above them, a blue whale model hangs from the ceiling.

The lighting shifts to simulate different environments, and upper-level balconies let you view the scene from increasingly dramatic angles.

The upper floors explore biodiversity, evolution, and endangered species through dioramas and interactive displays. A section devoted to extinct and endangered species uses dramatic lighting to highlight specimens of animals that no longer exist in the wild, thought-provoking for older kids.

Downstairs, the Galerie des Enfants is a purpose-built interactive space for ages 6 to 12 with hands-on stations about ecosystems, food chains, and biodiversity. It's smaller than Cite des Sciences' children's area but more focused and less overwhelming.

Combine this with a stroll through the surrounding Jardin des Plantes, the hedge maze, greenhouses, playground, and small zoo make for an easy full-day outing. The Latin Quarter's legendary Rue Mouffetard food market is a short walk for lunch provisions.