GREAT GALLERY OF EVOLUTION

Located in the southwestern part of the Jardin des Plantes, it is a grandiose setting, overlooked by three mezzanines and bathed in the light of an immense glass roof: the Grande Galerie de l'Evolution, inaugurated in 1889 and renovated in the 1990s, is sure to impress. It is one of the galleries of the National Museum of Natural History (MNHN), but it is a museum in its own right. There are 7,000 specimens on display here, divided according to the places and territories of settlement: ocean life, Africa, South America, the poles... emotions are guaranteed when faced with the majesty of the animals, formidably presented. Further on, endangered or extinct species await you, giving food for thought about the consequences of human actions. The Great Gallery of Evolution was created from the old zoology gallery. Upon entering, you enter a space dedicated to marine life. You see two gigantic skeletons, that of a southern whale and that of a blue whale. Just after, it is a giant plastinated squid that shows its tentacles and tuna and mackerel that seem to spin around you! Get ready for an immersion in different living environments, all along your journey. You will experience the adventure of biodiversity! From one space to another, you will discover different terrestrial species. Level 0 is dedicated to marine species, from coral reefs to the abyssal plains of the oceans, including the coastline and thermal springs. We then go to the discovery of terrestrial environments, starting with the animals of the savannah widely represented. We will of course see a lion but also an elephant, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, wildebeests and cheetahs. All these species are exposed here, in single file, in the middle of the room. On this same level, you will travel from room to room since you will only have to take a few steps to find yourself in front of the Arctic or Antarctic fauna with its polar bears, its penguins or its seals. Various explanations will also be given on taxidermy and the permanent collections. On the upper balconies, you will take part in the adventure of evolution. Anatomy, fossils and molecules, everything will become clearer after your visit! You will discover the secrets of genetic laws, DNA and family relationships. In the historical space, a large place is also given to the researchers who worked on these notions of evolution of living beings, from Buffon to Darwin, through Lamarck, Cuvier or Saint-Hilaire. On level 2, the third and last act of the visit of the Great Gallery of Evolution is devoted to man and his evolution. The technical evolutions have punctuated his impact on nature, we discover the changes made over time (gathering, hunting, fishing ...), but also the different journeys made by man to colonize new environments. In this space, you will be made aware of the ecological cause and the protection of the environment, especially in the area dedicated to pollution and its devastating effects on the planet. There are also other rooms such as the one dedicated to endangered and extinct species where you can admire a giant turtle from the island of Rodrigues, a dodo (and its complete skeleton) and a Sumatran tiger, an endangered species. A visit that makes you even more aware of the ecological emergency. In order to fascinate the youngest visitors, the Great Gallery of Evolution has also set up a "children's gallery". This space puts three species in the spotlight: the dodo, the giant Seychelles turtle and the narwhal. Children can discover the impressive tusk of the narwhal and sit in an igloo to listen to Inuit stories. Moreover, the permanent exhibition is also very interactive and explanatory terminals are available throughout the tour as well as game cards that you can download from the website or pick up directly at the reception. Moreover, scientific mediators are present to answer all your questions. The Grande Galerie de l'Evolution also houses a virtual reality cabinet on the third floor. This is a great first for a French museum! Opened in 2017, it allows a completely immersive 3D visit. Your admission ticket includes the opportunity to try one of the two proposed routes. With "Journey to the Heart of Evolution", you will explore the tree of life and its classification. You will go back to the origin of life by studying the links between different species. The second tour offers a fifteen-minute journey in a submarine, in the Arctic, 20 meters under the sea. The experience takes place in two times: in 1950 and 150 years later. The difference is sadly striking! The room offers five virtual reality stations, so you can live the experience together. You will be accompanied throughout the journey by a mediator who will introduce you to this immersive visit, until you return to reality! For a journey through time and space, in the heart of Paris, go to the Grande Galerie de l'Evolution!