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The country’s oldest public zoo was founded during the Revolution to house the four surviving animals from the royal menagerie at Versailles. Other animals were donated from circuses and abroad, but during the Siege of Paris in 1870–71 (see Top 10 Events in the French Revolution) the unfortunate creatures were eaten by hungry citizens. A favourite with children (see Grande Galerie de l’volution), the zoo has since been rehoused with monkeys, large cats, birds and reptiles.

Though many visitors never venture as far south as Montparnasse, its location is highly visible due to the 209-m (685-ft) Tour du Montparnasse which dominates the southern skyline and naturally affords spectacular views. Five minutes’ walk away is the area’s main draw for visitors, the Cimetière du Montparnasse, where the great writers Maupassant, Sartre, de Beauvoir, Baudelaire and Samuel Beckett are buried (see Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, Montparnasse Cemetery).

Built in 1922–6, the mosque complex is the spiritual centre for Parisian Muslims. The beautiful Hispano-Moorish decoration, particularly the grand patio, was inspired by the Alhambra in Spain. The minaret soars nearly 33 m (100 ft). There is also an Islamic school, tea room and Turkish baths, open to men and women on separate days.

Devoted to the history of Paris, this museum sprawls through two mansions, the 16th-century Carnavalet and 17th-century Le Peletier. The former was the home of Madame de Sévigné, the famous letter-writer, from 1677–96 and a gallery here portrays her life. The extensive museum contains everything from period rooms filled with art and portraits to Revolutionary artifacts and memorabilia of 18th-century philosophers Rousseau and Voltaire.

Kids are enchanted by this museum of magic, located in the atmospheric cellars of the former home of the Marquis de Sade. Magicians conjure up hourly shows involving optical illusions, card tricks and lots of audience participation. The exhibits include fun-house mirrors and memorabilia from master magicians such as escape artist Houdini (1874–1926).

Paris is a world leader in fashion and this wonderful museum, set alongside the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in the Louvre’s Pavillon de Marsan, features beautiful costumes and accessories dating from the 17th century to present-day haute couture designs. There are also several interesting collections on the history of textile design through the ages.

This delightful doll museum has a superb collection of 300 rare French dolls, including unglazed hand-painted porcelain dolls which were manufactured between 1850 and 1950. Many are imaginatively displayed in tableaux which portray various scenes, such as dolls having tea or playing with nursery toys. The museum is run by a father and son team, Guido and Samy Odin, who also handle doll repair.

The Army Museum contains one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of arms, armour and displays on military history in the world. There are weapons ranging from prehistoric times to the end of World War II, representing countries around the world. Housed in the Hôtel des Invalides, the vast galleries occupy the old refectories in two wings on either side of the courtyard. Many rooms on the east side contain Napoleonic memorabilia. On the west side, the Oriental gallery features arms from Asia and the Middle East.

This extensive collection covers the decorative arts from the Middle Ages through to the 20th century. With more than 100 rooms, highlights include the Medieval and Renaissance rooms, the Art Nouveau and Art Deco rooms, and a wonderful doll collection.