The Paris Zoological Park, the French capital's biggest zoo, re-opened on Saturday after being closed for six years for major renovations. It is more widely known as the Zoo de Vincennes.
Photo: Joseph Bamat / FRANCE 24

Animal rights activists protesting the captivity of wild animals did not stop throngs of eager visitors from re-discovering the zoo. Organisers expected between 20,000 and 25,000 people to visit on opening day.
Photo: Joseph Bamat / FRANCE 24

Le Grand Rocher, or the Big Rock, has been the emblem of the zoo since it opened in 1934. It towers over the 95,000-square-metre complex.
Photo: Joseph Bamat / FRANCE 24

Some animals, like the sea lions, were struck by stage fright for the zoo's highly-anticipated reopening. Park staff took the opportunity to clean their pool's windows.
Photo: Joseph Bamat / FRANCE 24

Other animals, like the Humboldt Penguin, were ready to put on a show.
Photo: Joseph Bamat / FRANCE 24

In the Sahel-Sudan region, the largest of the zoo's five biozones, the lion is still king.
Photo: Joseph Bamat / FRANCE 24

The zoo's new layout invites visitors to plunge into diverse animal habitats. It's sometimes easy to wonder who is watching whom.
Photo: Joseph Bamat / FRANCE 24

The zoo now counts more than 1,000 animals from 180 different species. They are not always easy to spot.
Photo: Joseph Bamat / FRANCE 24

The zoo now counts more than 1,000 animals from 180 different species. They are not always easy to spot.
Photo: Joseph Bamat / FRANCE 24

The giraffes where the only animals to witness the renovation work at the zoo. Every other animal was given shelter elsewhere until construction was done.
Photo: Joseph Bamat / FRANCE 24

The re-opening included special events and activities, like free face-painting for kids.
Photo: Joseph Bamat / FRANCE 24

The Paris Zoological Park is located in the 12th district of Paris. It is open every day, year-round. Metro 8: Porte Dorée.
Photo: Joseph Bamat / FRANCE 24