Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle: a scientific and cultural treasure trove in Paris

Visit Natural History Museum is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious scientific establishments. Located in the heart of Paris, it embodies both the researchthe biodiversity conservation, l'education and the scientific culture. A true crossroads between the past, present and future of life, it attracts millions of visitors every year, curious to discover its exceptional collectionsits immersive exhibitions and its ecological commitments. Whether you're passionate about paleontology, rare animals, exotic plants or the humanities, this unique place opens its doors to you for a fascinating exploration. And if you'd like to extend your experience through the wonders the countryexplore our guide to tourist regions and sites in France.

The institution: a mecca for science in France

Visit National Museum of Natural History (MNHN) is a public scientific, cultural and professional establishmentunder the joint authority of the Ministries of Higher Education, Research and the Environment.

A multi-faceted and complementary national mission

The Museum's varied missions include research, conservation, valuation, education, scientific dissemination and expertise. It develops synergies between fundamental and applied research, ensures the conservation of collections, and disseminates its knowledge to all publics.. Its historical missions are as follows:

• Management and development of scientific collectionswhich number millions of specimens and include living species spread over several sites..

• Museum enhancement through permanent and temporary exhibitions.

• Spreading scientific culturewith publications, educational tools and digital actions .

• Scientific researchincluding participation in the national inventory of natural heritage.

• Higher educationwith master's, doctorate and Erasmus Mundus courses.

• Scientific expertiseapplied to environmental and heritage issues.

Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, Academic and interdisciplinary anchorage

As a member of the Sorbonne University alliance, the Muséum is positioned as a key academic player.. It mixes life sciences, earth sciences and anthropologycovering disciplines ranging from botany, zoology, mycology, mineralogyto the paleontology, genetics and anthropology.

A fascinating history since 1635

Visit Natural History Museum has a a rich and unique historyclosely linked to the scientific and political history of France. Its origins date back to XVIIth centuryThis makes it one of Europe's oldest scientific establishments.

The royal origins of the Jardin des Plantes

The Museum's starting point is in 1635when the king Louis XIII founds the Royal Garden of Medicinal Plants. This institution is dedicated to the study of the botany and the training of apothecaries. The royal garden soon became a place of free, public education, open to all social classes, marking a new era in the history of the profession. major break with the elitist practices of the time.

The garden is run by renowned scientists such as Guy de La Brossethe king's physician, who laid the foundations for what was to become the National Museum of Natural History.

The official creation of the Natural History Museum during the French Revolution

Visit 1793In the midst of the French Revolution, the Royal Garden was reorganized into National Museum of Natural History. The establishment inherits the Jardin des Plantes and its infrastructure, but considerably expands its functions and missions. It is a major institutional transformation The former garden became a public science center, dedicated to research, teaching and the conservation of collections.

From then on, the Museum became a international modelThis was the inspiration for the creation of similar institutions in London, Berlin and Washington. It is also home to emblematic figures of French science, such as Georges Cuvier, Jean-Baptiste Lamarckand Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire.

Milestones in its development

Over the centuries, the Museum has evolved to remain at the cutting edge of science. Here are a few milestones:

• Nineteenth century development of scientific galleries (paleontology, mineralogy, comparative anatomy); birth of the Jardin des Plantes Menagerie.

• Twentieth century These include modernizing infrastructures, developing research in ecology and genetics, and opening up to new audiences.

• 1994 inauguration of the Grande Galerie de l'Évolutionmarking a turning point in scientific museography.

• 2014 reopening of the Paris Zoological Park completely renovated.

• 2024 the reconstruction of two dodos to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Galerie de l'Évolution (source: Le Monde).

Today, with over 350 years of history, the Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle is both a conservatory of living memory and a forward-looking laboratory.

The emblematic sites of the Natural History Museum

Visit Natural History Museum is not limited to a single location: it's a multi-site institution spread between Paris and the provinces. Each site offers unique immersion in the natural sciences, evolution, biodiversity and living heritage.

The Jardin des Plantes: the living heart of the Museum

Located in the 5th arrondissement of Paristhe Jardin des Plantes is the historic birthplace of the Museum. Created in 1635 as a royal garden, it is today a a veritable scientific ecosystem and culture. It houses plant collections spread out over several hectares, the tropical greenhousesand educational spacesand several must-see galleries.

It includes :

• Visit MenagerieFrance's oldest zoo still in operation;

• Visit large greenhousesa true masterpiece of 19th-century architecture;

• From botanical gardens organized according to phylogenetic classification.

The Jardin des Plantes is an ideal place for strolling, but it is also a center of learning. biodiversity awarenessThis is achieved through educational activities for children and schoolchildren.

The Grande Galerie de l'Évolution

Inaugurated in 1994the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution is one of the Museum's most emblematic spaces. It features a immersive scenography on the evolution of living organisms, with over 7000 naturalized specimensfrom the tiniest insects to the largest cetaceans.

This is where you'll find the famous animated scenes of animal migration, as well as some of the world's most famous species. missing or endangered. The gallery is also a regular venue for spectacular temporary exhibitions, such as the one devoted to the dodo in 2024.

This gallery embodies the scientific mediation mission to make science accessible, visual and captivating.

The Musée de l'Homme and its universal message

Installed at the Trocadero, the Museum of Man has been an integral part of the Museum since its complete renovation in 2015. It focuses on three main questions: Who are we? Where do we come from? Where are we going? It explores the biological, social and cultural history of thehuman species.

The museum houses collections ofphysical anthropology, d'ethnologyof prehistory and offers committed exhibitions on contemporary issues racism, the environment, migration...

The Paris Zoological Park: life-size biodiversity

Located in the Bois de Vincennesthe Paris Zoological Park is a unique site in Europe. Reopened in 2014 after several years of renovation, it offers a unique an ecological and educational approach to the animal world. The animals evolve in biozones reconstituted, reflecting their natural habitat: Patagonia, Sahel-Sudan, Amazonia-Guyana, Madagascar and Europe.

This park represents a new generation of ethical zoosThe company's mission is to promote the preservation of species, research and environmental education.

The Museum's regional sites

Visit Natural History Museum also has an influence outside Paris, with several remarkable sites:

• Visit Harmas of Jean-Henri Fabre (Vaucluse), dedicated to entomology;

• L'Chèvreloup Arboretum (Yvelines), which has preserved its exceptional plant diversity;

• Visit marine stations in Concarneau (Brittany) and Dinard, specializing in marine sciences;

• Visit Mediterranean Biodiversity Research Center in Porquerolles.

These regional branches reinforce national and scientific dimension the Museum's activities throughout France.

Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, An exceptional wealth of heritage

Visit Natural History Museum has one of the the world's largest scientific collectionsinternationally recognized for its diversity, rarity and heritage value. These collections are both alive and naturalistscollected since the 17th century.

Living collections: heritage in motion

The Museum preserves living collections distributed among its various sites, mainly in Jardin des Plantesto the Menagerieand the Paris Zoological Park. These collections include :

• From plant species in botanical gardens and greenhouses, representing several thousand taxa.

• From captive animals (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians) raised in conditions that respect their well-being.

• From restored ecosystems for scientific observation and education.

These collections allow a dynamic approach to biodiversitywith research into reproduction, nutrition, genetics and behavior.

Naturalist collections: a priceless treasure

The Museum preserves more than 68 million specimenswhich makes it one of the three largest naturalist collections in the world, alongside the Smithsonian Institution (Washington) and Natural History Museum (London).

These collections cover a wide range of fields:

• Mineralogy rare crystals, meteorites, exceptional gems ;

• Paleontology dinosaur skeletons, prehistoric mammal fossils, footprints and plant remains;

• Zoology invertebrates, insects, molluscs, naturalized birds ;

• Botany and mycology herbarium, mushroom samples ;

• Anthropology fossil skulls, prehistoric tools, ethnographic objects.

Each specimen represents a part of the story of lifeThis is the perfect way to trace the great evolution of the living world.

Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, rigorous scientific management

The conservation of collections is based on a high-level expertise. Each object is catalogued, digitized, preserved under precise climatic conditions and used in international research programs.

The Museum is also a pioneer in the digitization of collectionswith millions of data points available online via the GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility).

These resources are used to :

• Study the impact of climate change;

• Monitoring species evolution ;

• Document past and present biodiversity.

Science in action: research, expertise and training

Visit Natural History Museum is more than just an exhibition institution: it's also a world-renowned scientific research center. Its researchers work every day to better understand living organisms, past and present environments, and the interactions between humans and nature.

A multidisciplinary research institution

With over 500 researchersPhD students and engineers, the Muséum is a major player in the natural science research in France and abroad. It stands out for its interdisciplinary approach, combining :

• Evolutionary biology

• Ecology and climatology

• Paleontology

• Geology

• Biological anthropology

This research is conducted in joint units with prestigious partners such as the CNRS, INSERM, IRDor Sorbonne University. The Museum is at the head of several international programs on biodiversity, endangered species, extreme environments and zoonoses.

Notable recent projects include monitoring theerosion of biodiversity in Francethe study of wild pollinatorsor the reconstitution of prehistoric climates based on paleontological data.

A centre of expertise serving the environment

The Muséum plays a central role in scientific expertise. He is the operator of the Natural heritage (INPN - Inventaire national du patrimoine naturel) and contributes to public policies related to the protecting biodiversityat climate change or the environmental risk management.

Its scientists are regularly called upon to :

• Expertise on endangered species;

• Infrastructure impact assessment ;

• Framing European environmental policies ;

• Missions for theUNESCO, l'IUCNor the IPBES program.

This dimension applied makes the Museum a scientific referentat the crossroads of academic knowledge and public action.

Higher education and training

The Museum is also a higher education establishment accredited. It offers diploma courses :

• Masters in ecology, paleontology, biodiversity, biological anthropology, geosciences ;

• Doctorates supervised by Museum researchers;

• International training with Erasmus Mundus, or in partnership with Sorbonne University.

From courses, seminars and summer schools are organized on a regular basis, making the Museum one of center of pedagogical excellence. The institution also supports young researchers in their first steps, training them in scientific rigor, research ethics and the dissemination of their work.

Culture in the service of nature

One of Natural History Museum is to make the bridge between science and society. Through its exhibitions, events and educational materials, the institution mobilizes scientific culture to raise public awareness of environmental issues and the living world.

Permanent and temporary exhibitions at the Natural History Museum

Visit permanent exhibitions of the Museum are true pillars of the scientific mediation. The most famous of these is undoubtedly the Grande Galerie de l'Évolutionwhich retraces the history of life on Earth through a spectacular scenery and more 7000 naturalized specimens.

Other galleries, such as Paleontology, Mineralogy or Botany explore the richness of our planet from complementary angles. Visit Museum of Manaddresses universal questions about the human condition, linking anthropology, historyand sociology.

At the same time, the Museum regularly offers temporary exhibitions which bring together science, art and current affairs. They cover subjects as diverse as :

• Visit climate change ;

• L'extinction of species ;

• Visit urban biodiversity ;

• Visit plastic pollution ;

• Or the myths about extinct animalsas the dodo recently honored.

Recent cultural success stories

In March 2024, on the occasion of the 30 years of the Grande Galerie de l'Évolutionthe Museum presented two spectacular reconstitutions of dodosThese were created using skeletons, archives and state-of-the-art taxidermy techniques. This operation, both scientific and artistic, was a great success with the public.

This type of project embodies the Museum's determination to renewing forms of knowledge transmissionwith a focus on emotion, aesthetics and interdisciplinarity.

Scientific outreach and mediation

Visit Natural History Museum develops numerous tools for sharing science with the general public. Its mediation activities are aimed at all audiences, with :

• From educational workshops for schoolchildren ;

• From themed guided tours ;

• From conferences, documentary filmsand participatory scientific events ;

• A mobile application to enhance your visit;

• From digital resources available online, including virtual exhibitions.

This strategy makes the Museum a committed cultural playerin line with current societal concerns.

A player committed to the planet

Visit Natural History Museum is more than a research and cultural center: it's a a major player in the ecological transition. It places preserving biodiversitythe combating climate change and the raising awareness of environmental issues at the heart of everything we do.

Concrete environmental initiatives

For several years now, the Muséum has been developing an ambitious internal policy to reduce your ecological footprint. This translates into :

• L'energy optimization buildings and greenhouses;

• Visit rational water management in gardens and parks ;

• L'use of sustainable materials for temporary exhibitions;

• Visit systematic recycling waste ;

• Visit eco-friendly training of its staff.

These actions are part of a broader plan to sustainable developmentin line with the objectives of theAgenda 2030 of the United Nations.

Protecting biodiversity

The Museum plays a key role ecological watch on a national and international scale. It supplies and manages theNational inventory of natural heritage (INPN)the reference database for monitoring wildlifethe flora and natural habitats of France.

Through its expertise and partnerships, it contributes to :

• Identify critically endangered species ;

• Follow the pollinator populations and insects;

• Fighting against invasive alien species ;

• Restore degraded ecosystems.

Its researchers are actively involved inIUCN and theIPBESand collaborate with nature parks, NGOs and conservation agencies worldwide.

International cooperation

In a globalized context, the Muséum is developing a number of international cooperation projectsin Africa, Southeast Asia and the French overseas territories. It carries out actions on :

• Visit conservation of local species ;

• L'environmental education ;

• Visit applied research on tropical ecosystems.

The Museum is also involved in the training scientists from the Southand offers open platforms for data sharinglike the portal e-ReColNat.

With these commitments, it is asserting its position as a a global player in the defense of life.

The Museum community

Visit Natural History Museum would not be what it is without the contribution of passionate, committed communities. In addition to researchers and visitors, a a veritable constellation of players supports and promotes its scientific, educational and cultural missions.

Friends of the Museum: a century-old association

Founded in 1907the association Friends of the Museum is to support the Museum's projectsscientific, museographical and educational. This association brings together several hundred members - donors, enthusiasts, former students or the simply curious - who actively contribute to the natural heritage enhancement.

Thanks to their donations and sponsorships, the association is able to :

• The acquisition of new specimens or artifacts ;

• Visit financing temporary exhibitions ;

• Support for restoration work ;

• Visit logistical support for field research.

Friends enjoy exclusive benefits, including private lectures, special guided tours and meetings with scientists. Their actions help strengthen the a link between the Museum and civil society.

Volunteering, sponsorship and civic involvement

The Museum also encourages various forms of citizen participation. Le scientific volunteering is possible in certain galleries, libraries or laboratories, and many enthusiasts help out with events or inventory work.

Visit corporate sponsorship also plays a crucial role in the financing of large-scale projects, particularly in the fields of heritage restoration and museum technologies.

Finally, the visitors themselves are integrated into the Museum's dynamic, via participatory platforms such as :

• From citizen nature observatories ;

• From participatory science programs (ex. Vigie-Nature) ;

• From public consultations for future projects.

Activities for all publics

Visit Natural History Museum attaches particular importance tocultural accessibility. It offers a wide range of activities for all ages and profiles:

• Family tours with exploration notebooks ;

• Sensory trails for people with disabilities;

• Training for teachers and environmental educators ;

• Club Junior du Muséumwith workshops, games and discovery courses.

These actions demonstrate that the Muséum is much more than a museum: it's a living communityopen and inclusive, in the service of scientific culture.

Frequently asked questions

What are the opening hours at the Natural History Museum?

Opening times vary from one Museum site to another. In general, the galleries are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Tuesday to Sunday. Le Jardin des Plantes is available every day from 7:30 or 8 a.m.depending on the season. We advise you to check the precise timetable on the official website before your visit.

What can you see at the Natural History Museum?

The Museum houses fascinating galleries the Grande Galerie de l'Évolutionthe gallery of Paleontologythe gallery of Mineralogythe Menagerieand the Museum of Man and the Paris Zoological Park. You will discover thousands of specimensand exotic plantsand dinosaur fossilsand temporary exhibitions on nature and biodiversity.

How much does it cost to enter the Natural History Museum?

Entrance to the Jardin des Plantes is free, but the galleries and exhibitions are open to the public. paying. Prices vary according to the space (around €10 to €15 for adults), with a range of discounts for children, students, large families and seniors. The entrance is often free on the first Sunday of the month.

Where is the Natural History Museum?

The main site is located at Jardin des Plantesin the 5th arrondissement of Parisnear the Gare d'Austerlitz. Visit Museum of Man is at Trocadéro (16th), and the Zoological park in the Bois de Vincennes (12th arrondissement). The Museum also has a number of regional sites.

Is the Museum child-friendly?

Absolutely! The Museum offers a wide range of activities for childrenlike play trailsand educational workshopsand junior guided toursand the Club Junior du Muséum. The Menagerie and the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution are particularly popular with younger customers.

Can I attend temporary exhibitions?

Yes, every year the Museum organizes temporary exhibitions on topical issues: extinct species, threatened ecosystems, scientific discoveries or even mythical animals. These exhibitions are generally included in the admission ticket.

What's the difference between the Museum and the Musée de l'Homme?

Visit Natural History Museum is a global, multi-site institution. Visit Museum of Manlocated on the Trocadero, is one such site. It is dedicated toanthropology, l'human historyand contemporary social issues.

Are guided tours available?

Yes, the Museum offers guided tours for groups, families, school groups and even in French sign language. From audio guidesand mobile applicationsand thematic tours are also available, depending on the exhibition.

Can we eat there?

Yes, several cafés and food courts are available, in particular at Jardin des Plantes and Paris Zoological Park. You can also picnic in certain areas of the garden, which is ideal for families.

How do I get to the Museum by public transport?

The Museum is easily accessible by public transport :

• Metro: lines 5 (Gare d'Austerlitz), 7 (Jussieu)or 10 (Gare d'Austerlitz).

• Bus lines 24, 57, 63, 89.

• RER C: stop Austerlitz.
  Parking is available nearby for visitors by car, although space is limited.

Conclusion

Visit Natural History Museum is much more than a museum: it's a living institutionthat connects the science, culture and society. Through its unique collections, research programs, ecological commitments and outreach activities, it plays a fundamental role in the preservation of the environment. understanding life and the preserving our planet.

Whether you are curious about naturepassionate about paleontologya fan of biodiversityor simply in search of a sense of wonder, the Natural History Museum is a unmissable experience to live in the heart of Paris and its regional branches. It is a a permanent invitation to exploreLearn and act for the future of life on Earth.

And if you want to discover other wonders the countrybrowse our guide to tourist regions and sites in France to prolong your immersion in our cultural and natural heritage.

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