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About the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution

Grande Galerie de l'Évolution (Google Maps)

The Grande Galerie de l’Évolution is the flagship natural history hall of Paris’s Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, set inside the Jardin des Plantes in the 5th arrondissement. Its glass-roofed 19th-century building holds 7,000 specimens across four levels, from a ground-floor procession of whale and marine skeletons to a first-floor parade of African savannah animals lit to follow the cycle of a single day.

Upper balconies cover evolution, genetics and the human impact on biodiversity, including displays on extinct and endangered species.

Key Information:

Address: 36 Rue Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 75005 Paris
Founded: The Ménagerie was founded in 1793; the current gallery building dates to 1889 and reopened after restoration in 1994
Collection: Around 7,000 specimens on permanent display

What You'll See Inside the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution

The African Savannah Procession

The gallery's best-known display: a line of life-sized elephants, giraffes and antelope arranged as if migrating together across the first floor, lit to shift with a simulated day-night cycle.

The Ground-Floor Marine Gallery

Whale and giant squid skeletons suspended overhead, coral reef displays and marine ecosystems, set beneath the building's original 19th-century glass roof.

Endangered and Extinct Species

Upper-floor displays on threatened and extinct animals, including the giant panda and the Tasmanian tiger, alongside exhibits on conservation and human impact on biodiversity.

Evolution and Genetics

The top-floor galleries trace the history of evolutionary theory and genetics, from early natural history collecting to modern research, in a more contemplative counterpoint to the animal halls below.

Practical Information

Opening Hours

Open daily, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., closed Tuesdays and on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. Last entry is one hour before closing. See the full Opening Hours.

Location

36 Rue Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 75005 Paris, inside the Jardin des Plantes. Jussieu (Lines 7 & 10) is the nearest metro station. See the full Address & Directions.

Good to Know

Allow 1 to 2.5 hours depending on how much you want to see, and note the gallery holds France’s official accessibility label with step-free access throughout. See the full Plan Your Visit.

Other Galleries Nearby

The separate Galerie de Paléontologie et d’Anatomie comparée, also inside the Jardin des Plantes, is closed for renovation from January 2026 until late 2027. The Grande Galerie de l’Évolution itself is unaffected and open as normal.

Interesting Facts About the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution

7,000 Specimens on Display

The gallery holds around 7,000 specimens, but that’s a fraction of the wider Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle’s collection of more than 68 million items.

A 19th-Century Building

The building’s cast-iron and glass structure dates to 1889 and originally housed a gallery of zoology before its 1994 restoration and reopening as the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution.

A Simulated Day-Night Cycle

The first-floor lighting shifts gradually over the course of a visit, simulating a full day-night cycle across the African savannah display.

The Ménagerie Next Door

The Ménagerie, the small historic zoo inside the same Jardin des Plantes, was founded in 1793 during the French Revolution and is one of the oldest zoos in the world.

Founded in 1793

The gallery is part of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, a research institution founded the same year as the Ménagerie, in 1793.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution

What is the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution?

It's the main natural history hall of Paris's Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, set inside the Jardin des Plantes, with around 7,000 specimens spanning marine life, African savannah animals and exhibits on evolution and conservation.

Where is it located?

Inside the Jardin des Plantes at 36 Rue Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, in the 5th arrondissement of Paris.

What are the opening hours?

Daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., closed Tuesdays.

How long should I plan for a visit?

Around 1 to 1.5 hours for the highlights, or up to 2.5 hours to see everything at a relaxed pace.

Is it suitable for children?

Yes, the life-sized animal displays are popular with families and children of most ages.

Is the gallery wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it holds France's official accessibility label, with step-free access and lifts to every floor.

Is this the same as the Natural History Museum's other Paris sites?

The Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle has several separate galleries in the Jardin des Plantes and beyond, including the Galerie de Paléontologie et d'Anatomie comparée (closed for renovation until late 2027). This page covers the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution specifically.

How do I get there?

The closest metro station is Jussieu (Lines 7 & 10), about a 7-minute walk. See our Address & Directions page for the full range of options.