French National Museum of Natural History

French National Museum of Natural History
Name	French National Museum of Natural History
Caption	The Grande Galerie de l'Évolution in the Jardin des Plantes
Established	10 June 1793
Location	Paris, France
Type	Natural history museum
Director	Bruno David
Website	https://www.mnhn.fr

French National Museum of Natural History. It is a major French institution dedicated to natural science research, conservation, and public education. Founded during the French Revolution, its origins trace back to the Jardin du Roi established in the 17th century. The museum's network encompasses multiple sites across France, including the historic Jardin des Plantes in Paris, which serves as its principal hub.

History

The institution's precursor, the Jardin royal des plantes médicinales, was created in 1635 by Louis XIII under the guidance of physicians Jean Héroard and Guy de La Brosse. It was transformed and greatly expanded during the reign of Louis XIV by the influential scientist Comte de Buffon, who served as its superintendent for nearly fifty years. Following the French Revolution, the National Constituent Assembly officially founded the museum on 10 June 1793, with foundational figures including renowned naturalists like Jean-Baptiste Lamarck and Antoine Laurent de Jussieu. The 19th century saw significant growth under directors such as Michel Eugène Chevreul, with expansions including the construction of the Galerie de Zoologie and the establishment of field stations.

Collections and galleries

The museum safeguards one of the world's largest natural heritage collections, estimated at over 68 million specimens spanning paleontology, mineralogy, entomology, and botany. Its iconic public galleries in Paris include the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution, housed in a renovated 19th-century structure, and the Galerie de Minéralogie et de Géologie which displays spectacular meteorites and gems. Other notable sites are the Galerie de Paléontologie et d'Anatomie comparée, famous for its dinosaur skeletons, and the Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes, one of the world's oldest zoos. Additional collections are held at affiliated locations like the Musée de l'Homme at the Palais de Chaillot.

Research and scientific departments

Scientific research is organized across numerous departments and laboratories, often in partnership with entities like the CNRS and universities. Key research areas include systematics, ecology, anthropology, and evolutionary biology. The museum operates several important field stations, such as the Station de Biologie Marine de Concarneau, the oldest marine station in the world, and the Brunoy reserve for ecological research. Its herbarium, one of the largest globally, is a critical resource for the study of biodiversity and climate change.

The Garden of Plants

The Jardin des Plantes is the historic heart of the institution, a 28-hectare botanical garden located in the 5th arrondissement of Paris. Founded as a medicinal garden, it now contains an arboretum, thematic gardens like the Alpine Garden, and historic glasshouses such as the Grandes Serres. The garden also houses several research buildings, the aforementioned galleries, and the Ménagerie, which participates in conservation programs for species like the Przewalski's horse.

Notable figures

Throughout its history, the museum has been associated with towering scientific personalities. Early luminaries included Georges Cuvier, a founder of comparative anatomy and paleontology, and Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, known for his early theory of evolution. Later, Alcide d'Orbigny made significant contributions to micropaleontology, while Pierre Teilhard de Chardin was a noted paleontologist and philosopher. In the 20th century, figures like Jean Dorst, an influential ornithologist, and Yves Coppens, co-discoverer of the australopithecine fossil "Lucy", were prominent.

Public engagement and education

The museum is deeply committed to public outreach, welcoming millions of visitors annually to its galleries, zoos, and gardens. It offers extensive educational programs for schools and the public, including workshops and conferences. Temporary exhibitions on topics like oceanography or extinction are regularly held. The institution also publishes scientific works and popular journals, and manages significant digital projects to make its collections accessible online, collaborating with global initiatives like the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Category:Natural history museums in France Category:Museums in Paris Category:French Revolution Category:Botanical gardens in France