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The Great Hall of Evolution

The Great Hall of Evoltuion is a 6 000 m2 permanente exhibition, devoted to the evolution of life. It is divided into three temes : the first theme illustrates the diversity of the living world today ; The second thme shows how living orgnaisms have developped throughout the history of life on earth; The third theme explains how human activity has affected the environment, sometimes irreversibly, and how Man became a factor in évolution. One of the rooms presents a magnificent collection of specimens of endangered species - plus some wich are already extinct. there are also sepcail teaching and cultural areas, a temporary exhibition room and an auditorium. 36 Rue Geoffroy Saint Hilaire - 75005 Paris Open daily from 10.00 - 18.00 ; Thursdayx until 22.00 Colsed on Tuesday and 1st May Spécial lectures : Thursdays at 18.00 Shop. Cafeteria http://www.mnhn.fr

The Mineralogy and Palaeobotany Galleries

The Gallery of Mineralogy contains over 600000 minerals samples, including a collection of giant cristals unique in the world and a magnificent collection of precious stones from former royal collections presented in the Treasure Room. The Gallery of Palaeobotany retraces the history of the vegetable world since its beginnings on Earth. 36 Rue Geoffroy Saint Hilaire - 75005 Paris Open daily from 10 to 17. From 10 to 18 on saturdays and Sundays from April to October. Closed on Tuesdays and 1st May. Temporary exhibitions. Shop.

The comparative Anatomy and Palaeontology Galleries
The Gallery of comparative Anatomy gives a comprehensive view of the world of vertebrates, with an impressive collection of nearly a thousand skeletons. The Gallery of Palaeontology offers the public an exceptionally fine collection of fossils, dinosaurs, mastodons, shells, giant birds and insects etc… Certain specimens, such as the Mosasaurus of Maastricht and the Palaeotherium from Montmartre Gypsum studied by Georges Cuvier, are great historical importance. 2 Rue Buffon - 75005 Paris. Open daily from 10 to 17. From 10 to 18 on saturdays and Sundays from April to October. Closed on Tuesdays and 1st May. Shop.

The Great Glasshouses

The Jardin des Plantes has two extremely impressive glasshouses - the tropical hothouse with its hot, humid atmosphere, containing banana trees, ficus, cycads, pandanus, ferns and the Mexican hothouse, with plants such as the American cactus, the Mexican agave, plants found only in Madagascar and succulent plants from southern Africa - a total of several thousand plant species. 57 Rue Cuvier - 75005 Paris Open daily from 13 to 17 on weekdays, from 10 to 17 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, and from 10 to 18 on Saturdays and Sundays from April to October. Closed on Tuesdays and 1st May.

LIbrary and Media Library

The central library of National MUseum of Natural History was founded in 1793 and is one of the richest in the world in the special fields. The media library was opened in 1994 and offers admission free access to books, periodicals, still pictures, films and sound docuements. 38 Rue Geoffroy Saint Hilaire - 75005 Paris The library is open from Monday to Friday from 9.30 to 19 and Saturdays from 9.30 to 17.30. The media library is open from Moday to Saturday from 12 to 18. Information : 01 33 1 40 79 36 27

Galllery of Entomology

The Galllery of Entomology features 1500 specimens, chosen amongst the world's most beautiful or most astonishing insects, revealing the spectacular variety of shapes, colours ans adaotatins which exist in the insect world. 45 Rue Buffon - 75005 Paris. Open Daily from 13 to 17 on weekdays. From 10 to 17 on Saturdays and Sundays from November to March and until 18 on Saturdays and Sundays from April to October. Closed on Tuesdays and 1st May.

Menagerie

This is one of the oldest zoological gardens in the world, with 240 mammals, 500 birds and 130 reptiles in a 5.5 ha. park. 3, quai St Bernard 75005 Paris Open daily from 9 to 17. Cafetaria. Restaurant.