Muséum national d'histoire naturelle

The Muséum national d’histoire naturelle is France’s national natural history museum located primarily at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris; the institution was formally established in 1793. It houses major collections in zoology, paleontology, mineralogy, botany, and comparative anatomy.

Exhibition highlights include the Grande Galerie de l’Evolution, galleries of paleontology and comparative anatomy, and botanical displays in the Jardin des Plantes. The museum combines historical collections, mounted specimens, and modern interpretive exhibits across several connected buildings and gardens.

Rooted in royal botanical gardens and scientific collections, the Muséum national d’histoire naturelle was reorganized during the French Revolution and established as a national institution in 1793; it has since expanded collections, research, and public education roles.

The museum’s main campus is in the Jardin des Plantes on Paris’ Left Bank in the 5th arrondissement, adjacent to the Seine and within the central Paris urban area.

• Founding date: The museum traces its institutional founding to the revolutionary period and was formally established as the national natural history museum in 1793, with earlier origins in royal botanical gardens and collections.

What to See #

• Grande Galerie de l'Evolution: The Grande Galerie de l'Evolution in the Jardin des Plantes presents mounted specimens and dioramas illustrating species diversity and evolutionary relationships in large exhibition halls.
• Jardin des Plantes: The Jardin des Plantes is the museum's historic botanical garden site in Paris' 5th arrondissement and contains greenhouses, gardens, and several museum buildings clustered around academic collections.