ABSTRACT
Saint-Pierre recommended that all the animals should be brought to Paris to form the nucleus of a national menagerie. Saint-Pierre had foreseen how the prospective museum and a menagerie could cooperate in the interests of public education. What brought his ideas to fruition was the fact that, at that time, Paris was the focus of travelling side-shows in which combats were staged between various sorts of domestic and wild animals. The Franco-Prussian war broke out in 1870 and by late summer it became apparent that the invading Prussian army would soon be in Paris. Vincennes Zoo provides spectacular settings for large groups of animals. Spacious enclosures are landscaped to simulate various natural habitats and are separated from the public by moats or ditches. In many of the enclosures, artificial rocks serve to disguise the large indoor quarters which in winter are open to the public.
