Why a Booktrail?
1827: Follow the inspiring story of Belle the giraffe who travelled all the way from Egypt to Paris in 1827
A Giraffe Goes to Paris
What you need to know before your trail
This is no ordinary journey and no ordinary giraffe. Belle was a gift from from the Egyptian pasha to Parisian royalty back in 1827 and was escorted over by a guide who took her all the way to the Jardin des Plantes in Paris where she was to live until her death 18 years later.
This is based on the story of Zarafa who was a female giraffe who was gifted by Muhammad Ali of Egypt to King Charles X of France, as one of three giraffes Muhammad Ali sent to European rulers in 1827.
Locations
ResetTravel Guide
Zarafa’s journey does not end in Paris. She was kept there for a while before being moved to the Natural History Museum in La Rochelle 28 Rue Albert 1er, 17000 La Rochelle, France
There’s also a rather interesting article from the Guardian on Zarafa
Streetview Maps
C) Paris - Jardin des Plantes
Zafara's final resting place - the Museum of Natural History in La Rochelle
Where Next?
