Barb_in_Ga

We're headed to Paris 2nd week of October, and I'm making a list of things to see that we haven't done before.

I love natural history museums, especially the mineralogy exhibits. I rarely see the collection of museums in Jardin des Plantes discussed; I'd like to hear if anyone here has been recently and how they compare it to New York, London, or Washington, DC.

I thought these were National museums, but I don't see them listed on the Museum pass listing. We may get a museum pass for a couple of days, so it would help planning to know if they are included.
Thanks, Barb

Barb_in_Ga

TTT

cw

Hi Barb,

We visited the museum last year and really enjoyed it. The main building is new and the exhibits are quite interesting and up-to-date, though most of the labels are in French only, I think. Didn't look at the minerals so I can't comment.

We visited the Menagerie, walked through the Jardin des Plantes, and spent a couple of hours in the museum and ate lunch at their cafe.

You're right--they are not on the museum pass. Well worth a visit, if you have an interest. I think they are open on many of the holidays when other museums are closed.

The museum is near the Mosque, and had I realized it at the time, we might have gone there for lunch in their tea room/cafe.

avalon

We often make a visit to the Jardin des Plantes. I enjoy both the museums and the zoo part. I love the little shelters inside the animal pens. There is also a mineralogy museum at 60 Blvd St-Michel , Musee de mineralogie at Ecole Nationale superieure de mines

Christina

The Natural History Museum (which includes the gardens and the gem gallery) is a national museum, but isn't on the pass for some reason.

clairobscur

If you're interested in minerals, I would mention the collection of the Jussieu University, 4 place Jussieu, and very close to the Jardin des Plantes.

Due to important renovations being done, the collection has been relocated within the buildings, and the website is also down, except for the front page, here : http://www.lmcp.jussieu.fr/mineraux/...ure/index.html . I don't know if all the collections are on display, since it has been relocated.


I've been told the collection is as good as, and even better than the one in the "Jardin des plantes" (being intended primarily for students and mineralogists, while the latter is more intended for casual visitors), except for gems.

So, I thought I would let you know, since both are in the same neighbourhood.

Barb_in_Ga

Thanks for the input. We'll plan to visit the Natural History Museum and may also try to see the Jussieu exhibit if possible.

Carlux

A word for anyone interested in visiting the Paris Zoo, which appears on the Natural History Museums site - in French, although I didn't see the note in the English version.

Parc Zoologique de Paris - 53 avenue de Saint-Maurice, 75012 Paris

It will be closed from 28 September to he end of the year for renovation.