Exhibition / Festival / Party

1626–2026: The National Museum of Natural History Celebrates Its 400th Anniversary

Grande Galerie de l'Évolution - Muséum national d'histoire naturelle, 36 rue Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire - 75005 Paris
From 1 January to 31 December 2026
© MHNH Agnès Iatzoura

Founded in 1626, the National Museum of Natural History is celebrating its 400th anniversary. Exhibitions, events, and special highlights will take place at the Jardin des Plantes and its other Parisian locations throughout 2026

Founded during the reign of Louis XIII as the Royal Garden of Medicinal Plants, the National Museum of Natural History is one of the world’s oldest scientific institutions. To celebrate its 400th anniversary in 2026, the institution is organizing an exceptional cultural and scientific season. Throughout the year, temporary exhibitions, lectures, themed tours, and exclusive guided tours will offer visitors the chance to explore the history of scientific research and the preservation of biodiversity.

🎯 Highlights of the Natural History Museum’s 400th anniversary

  • A reimagined and thematically curated Jardin des Plantes: from spring 2026, the Jardin des Plantes will celebrate four centuries of botanical history. The second summer instalment will focus on herbal cuisine, showcasing medicinal and culinary plants used in cooking and herbal medicine, culminating in September 2026
  • Special exhibition Journey to the Heart of Life: presented in the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution, a major immersive retrospective tracing the evolution of the scientific collections since the Royal Garden of Medicinal Plants, established under Louis XIII in 1626
  • Festive celebrations and national events marking the 400th anniversary: the Museum’s major annual events are taking on a special quadricentennial theme, notably the Fête de la Nature, the European Heritage Days and the Fête de la Science with unique access and exclusive workshops
  • The 400 Years of Scientific Adventures tour at the Musée de l’Homme : a dedicated tour highlights the key role played by the Museum’s researchers, expeditions and naturalists in our understanding of humanity and the living world
  • Public events, symposia and lectures: throughout the year, scientists, historians and guest speakers take to the stage at the Grande Galerie Auditorium to address current environmental challenges in the light of four centuries of research

📍 A selection of places to visit at the National Museum of Natural History

The historic and vibrant heart of the institution, the Jardin des Plantes is home to a number of exceptional spaces: the unmissable Grande Galerie de l’Évolution, the fascinating Galerie de paléontologie et d’anatomie comparée, and the Galerie de minéralogie et de géologie. Combining a botanical stroll with the chance to discover wildlife, the Ménagerie, the Jardin des Plantes’ zoo and Les Grandes Serres complete this showcase dedicated to biodiversity right in the heart of Paris.

The Museum’s experience extends far beyond this, with major sites dedicated to living organisms and the history of humanity. Opposite the Trocadéro, the Musée de l’Homme explores our origins, whilst the Parc Zoologique de Paris, in the Bois de Vincennes, offers an immersive experience of international ecosystems up close. Finally, just a few kilometres from the capital, the Arboretum de Versailles-Chèvreloup offers a preserved natural haven home to a remarkable collection of trees.

The festivities take place mainly at the Jardin des Plantes (Grande Galerie de l'Évolution, Galerie de Paléontologie, Greenhouses, Menagerie), as well as at the Musée de l'Homme and the Paris Zoological Park.
Hours vary depending on the Museum's locations (Jardin des Plantes, Musée de l'Homme, etc.)
Prices vary by venue and exhibition (some events are free)
https://www.mnhn.fr/fr/1626-2026-400-ans-du-museum
All public

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36 rue Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire
75005 Paris