Galerie de Géologie et de Minéralogie

About the museum

The gallery's collections go back to the Droguier du roi, founded in 1626 in the royal garden of medicinal plants. The first minerals were collected there for their supposed medicinal properties. In 1745, Buffon and Daubenton opened the Cabinet d'histoire naturelle to the public; it grew through gifts from explorers, collectors and even monarchs. After the Muséum was created in 1793, the mineral kingdom became one of the institution's three main fields, and in 1796 the Muséum received historic gemstones from the former Crown Jewels.

Construction of the building began in 1833 under the architect Rohault de Fleury. It was the first building of the Muséum designed as a museum, with a long central nave; it opened in 1841. In 1987 two additional rooms were inaugurated in the former library: one for the giant crystals from Brazil, the other for the most precious pieces, gemstones and art objects.

In the 2000s, several parts of the gallery were closed for safety and renovation reasons. A pavilion was later restored with the help of a patron, and the exhibition “Trésors de la Terre” opened to the public on December 19, 2014. It features around twenty giant crystals, alcoves devoted to mineralogy, gemstones, pigments, jewellery and rare pieces such as a gold nugget from the gold rush.

Highlights

• Around twenty giant crystals, among the finest of any museum
• Eight thematic alcoves on mineralogy, on either side of the nave
• Gemstones, ornamental stones and jewellery, including Louis XIV's Grand Diamant Bleu
• Meteorites, including the Orgueil meteorite
• Neoclassical building, 187 metres long, on the Allée Haüy

Permanent exhibition

• Trésors de la Terre – Giant crystals, gemstones, ornamental stones, meteorites and jewellery displayed in the gallery's neoclassical nave.

Founded

1625

Operated by

Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle

Admission & discounts

Also free, with proof, for holders of the Pass Annuel Muséum, job seekers, recipients of social minimum benefits, holders of an ICOM/ICOMOS card, teachers preparing a visit, journalists, military personnel holding the Sentinelle card, and the driver or companion of a group of more than 20 people. Each gallery has its own ticket; there is no combined ticket. With the “Découverte” offer, a full-price ticket allows a reduced-rate visit to a second Muséum site within 3 months.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The gallery is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility by an outdoor lift; there is no manual ramp alongside the access steps. The gallery's page currently notes a temporary inaccessibility for wheelchair users.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

There is no visitor car park at the Jardin des Plantes. Vehicle access to the garden for mobility-impaired members of a group must be requested at least 48 hours in advance.

Amenities & dining

• Lockers

Free cloakroom at the gallery: bring a €1 coin, which is returned when you collect your belongings. Bags larger than 55 x 35 x 20 cm are not accepted. The Jardin des Plantes has food outlets and picnic areas.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit