In a frame story, a rich couple sailing in space, Jinn and Phyllis, rescue and translate a manuscript from a floating bottle.

[3] The manuscript was written by Ulysse Mérou, a French journalist who, in 2500, was invited by Professor Antelle to accompany him and his disciple, physician Arthur Levain, to Betelgeuse.

They land their shuttle on a temperate, lushly forested planet which they name Soror (Latin for sister).

Their society is divided into three strata: militaristic gorillas as police and soldiers, conservative orangutans as politicians and religious authorities, and liberal chimpanzees as scientists.

Curious chimpanzee researcher Zira takes an interest in his geometric drawings and his ability to speak a few simian words.

Antelle reverts to primitive humanity in the zoo and is moved to the laboratory for safety, where he is mated to a young female.

[4] The first English language version, with a translation by Xan Fielding, was published in the United States by Vanguard Press in June 1963 under the title Planet of the Apes.

[9] The novel was adapted into the media franchise by 20th Century Studios (Since 1968) consisting of ten films, two television series (one animated), a behind-the-scenes documentary, and several comic books.

[12][13] A second adaptation of the book was released in 2001 directed by Tim Burton as a loose remake of the 1968 film of the same name.

A series reboot with a new production team called Rise of the Planet of the Apes was released in 2011 to critical and commercial success.