Labyrinthe du Jardin des Plantes — Attraction in Paris

The labyrinth in the Jardin des Plantes in Paris is built on an artificial hill. Before the beginning of the 17th century, this hill was formed as a result of the removal of earth masses and construction waste from the limestone quarries that were located in this area. Thus, the hill was built using soil and stone fragments from the ancient quarries. When the Royal Garden of Medicinal Plants was established in 1635, this hill was planted with grapevines. The spiral path leading to the top of the hill was designed as a labyrinth, but it wasn't a classic maze with dead ends. Instead, it was a winding but unique path that made it impossible to get lost. It was more like a spiral than a maze. However, some people might still get lost or tear their clothes if they tried to climb through the bushes directly. The main decoration of the top is an elegant metal belvedere pavilion, built in 1787 by order of the famous naturalist Georges-Louis de Buffon, who was in charge of the garden for almost 50 years. This structure is the oldest metal structure in Paris and was built more than a century before the Eiffel Tower. And probably a hundred times smaller. From the top of the labyrinth, you can enjoy a picturesque view of the botanical garden, making it a popular...

Au sommet du labyrinthe se trouve la Gloriette, l'une des plus anciennes constructions en fer à Paris et aussi au monde, elle a été construite entre 1786 et 87 par Claude-Vincent Mille, serrurier du Roi, à la demands de Buffon, alors directeur de l'institution, et déssinée par l'architecte du roi Louis XVI, Edme Verniquet. Les belles créations métalliques de Victor Baltard ne verront le jour qu’à partir des années 1850. Alors, à l'époque, le belvédère faisait figure de structure avant-gardiste.

Elle est constituée d’une armature en fer et d’un habillage composé de cinq métaux différents : bronze, cuivres jaune et rouge, laiton et or, et s’élève sur plus de 9 mètres.

La fonte utilisée, issue des forges privées de Buffon à Montbard, est d’une très grande qualité et constitue un témoin remarquable des techniques utilisées à l’époque. Un gong solaire dominait l'ensemble ; il sonnait chaque à midi, actionné par un marteau déclenché par la rupture d’un fil de crin brûlé à travers une loupe et remplacé quotidiennement.

La Gloriette de Buffon a été classée aux monuments...

Because of the misleading title of a maze the spiral loses all hope of being recognized as a place worthy of visiting. Therefore it is disappointing when you finally reach it and you don’t get to enjoy it. I really recommend a name change so visitors aren’t blinded by false expectations and allow themselves to...