MUSÉUM NATIONAL D’HISTOIRE NATURELLE - JARDIN DES PLANTES

Le Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle invites you to visit a small zoo, the plantations of the Jardin des Plantes, the galeries de Botanique, Paléontologie or Anatomie comparée and the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution. The domain that forms all these sites was born from the  Jardin royal des plantes médicinales here created in the 17th century. A hundred years later, thanks in particular to the scientist Buffon, the garden was enriched with buildings dedicated to the study of nature where scientists met. It was during the French Revolution that the Museum was truly founded, which for more than two centuries has housed teacher-researchers and their students. Specialists and neophytes wander with equal happiness from one gallery to another. As for the mineralogy and geology, be sure to admire the works of art designed by nature on display. As for the paleontology and comparative anatomy, you will be fascinated by very old fossils or dinosaur skeletons. For its part, the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution is located under an imposing glass roof. The visit deserves several hours if you want to discover everything. Around specimens of naturalized animals are detailed major themes such as the diversity of life, the evolution of life and man and his factors. The scenography mixes sounds, lights, scenery games, interactive terminals. The Galerie des Enfants completes this offer. Also note that in November 2013 the Galerie de Botanique, which houses the National Herbarium, the most prestigious collection of plants in the world, opened its doors to the public. However, one of the most encouraging news from the Museum d'histoire naturelle comes from its small zoo: in October 2018, an orangutan from Borneo, an endangered species, was born. The last time an orangutan was born in a small zoo was in 2005!

In addition to the presentation of its collections, the museum organizes temporary exhibitions and numerous activities for all ages and levels of knowledge. Finally, please note that this institution is also in charge of the Musée de l'Homme and the Parc zoologique de Paris at Bois de Vincennes.