Have you ever wondered what a 19th-century metal masterpiece looks like? Here at the Grande Volière, you’re looking at one. Designed by Gabriel Davioud, this isn’t just a bird enclosure. It’s a monument, finely crafted with intricate ironwork. The Grande Volière has graced the Jardin d’Acclimatation since 1860. It offers a glimpse into faraway lands with its five themed aviaries. Each aviary represents a different biogeographical zone: Oceania, Australia, South-East Asia, Africa, and South America. Over 40 bird species call this place home. You’ll see everything from budgerigars and Amazon parrots to blue macaws, white doves, and Mandarin ducks. Step inside one of the aviaries and get up close and personal with the lorikeets. You can even feed them with seeds purchased at the counter. Outside the Grande Volière, the park itself is alive with free-roaming birds. Turkeys, black swans, pheasants, barnacle geese, and crested ducks add to the vibrant atmosphere. Keep an eye out for the stunning white peacocks. These birds are a product of captive breeding and genetic mutations. Their brilliant white plumage stands in stark contrast to the blue peacocks that also roam the park. Notice the female peafowl. They lack the vibrant train of the males and have more subdued colors, with touches of green on their necks. Inside, over three hundred birds thrive within the Grande Volière, sheltered by ivy and wisteria. Carolina ducks, Turkish doves, Gabon parrots, pheasants, and sultana chickens are among the residents. The Grande Volière is more than just a collection of birds. It’s a testament to the 19th-century fascination with acclimatization. It’s a living museum where you can experience the beauty and diversity of avian life from around the globe.
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.