The park was redesigned in the 19th century by André Le Nôtre, the landscape architect famous for the gardens of Versailles.
The onsite stork reintroduction center, established in 1971, is responsible for the successful return of the species to the Alsatian landscape.
Empress Joséphine, the wife of Napoleon, was a significant benefactor of the park and spent time there during the early 19th century.
The park was declared a historical monument in 1993.
The Parc de l'Orangerie, situated in Strasbourg, is home to a former zoo site that ceased operations following significant public and municipal pressure regarding animal welfare. The animal enclosures have been decommissioned and dismantled to allow the park space to return to its original recreational function. Today, the location is part of a larger 26-hectare public park noted for its neo-classical architecture and botanical diversity. It remains a key historical site within the city's European Quarter. The park serves as a center for the reintroduction of the European white stork, which had become nearly extinct in Alsace by the 1970s.
The lakeside view featuring the 18th-century Josephine Pavilion as a backdrop.
Walk through the central lawn to see the varied botanical collections.
Look for the stork nesting platforms atop old trees and structures throughout the park grounds.
Utilize the lake-side paths which provide the best views of the park's central pavilion.
Do not attempt to feed the wildlife or the storks, as this is strictly prohibited to maintain their natural behavior.
