Looking for a mammoth in Paris? Then head for a top museum: the intriguing National Museum of Natural History and more in particular the Galérie de Paléontologie et d’Anatomie comparée. Precious skeletons, ranging from delicate frogs to impressive mammoths immerse you in present times and lost worlds. A museum off the beaten track in Paris.
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The building
The Galerie de Paléontologie et d’Anatomie Comparée is located in the the Jardin des Plantes in Paris.
The building itself is a masterpiece of late 19th-century architecture.
It exudes an old-world charm that transports visitors back to an era when natural history was at the heart of exploration and wonder.
And you can really take that literally. Once you step inside, it’s like you are catapulted back in time.
The long central hall is striking. It’s enormous and baths in natural light from the towering windows.
The ceilings are high and vaulted and the wrought-iron mezzanines create a sense of grandeur.
But more impressive is the way everything is set out.
The space feels almost like a cathedral of science.
All around you are skeletons, big and small ones, and antique display cases bringing you back to earlier days. Even the aged wooden floors creak with every step you take, adding to the museum’s timeless atmosphere.
From the mezzanines you have an excellent view on the ground floor (the mezzanine half way) and the first floor (the mezzanine on the second floor).
The collection
The collection is one of the most extraordinary I have ever seen. There are three floors, each with their own treasures.
The ground floor, dedicated to comparative anatomy, is well, the least you can say, impressive.
The first floor, dedicated to comparative anatomy, is awe-inspiring.
Hundreds of skeletons are meticulously arranged. They offer a unique perspective on how life evolved across species. The bigger species are located in the middle.
Modern mammals, such as elephants, gazelles, giraffes, and even whales, walk in the same direction. Extinct species follow this path too. They all seem to head towards infinity.
I was even more impressed by the splendid collection of small, detailed skeletons in all varieties.
Delicate bats with their intricate wing structures, tiny bones of frogs, the fragile elegance of a hummingbird, … all displayed with care, precision and craftmanship. The name cards are written in a curly handwriting, just like in the old days. Every display tells a story, showing the complexity or nature.
When walking around on this floor, it felt like I was part of a grand procession of nature’s creations.
The second floor throws you, literally, back in time. Millions of years. With dinosaur fossils, in all varieties.
The most impressive is the original skeleton of the Dufort mammoth. This mammoth is discovered in 1869 near the town of Durfort in France.
The mammoths massive frame, reconstructed with painstaking detail, towers over visitors.
Further, there is an Allosaurus, a long-necked Diplodocus and several other species. Some of the fossils are originals, others not.
The third floor of the Galerie is a hidden gem. It’s dedicated to paleontology. it houses an an incredible collection of fossilized invertebrates and plants.
It offers a quieter, more intimate journey through prehistoric time.
This space feels more like a cabinet of curiosities. I peeked in some of the cabins and the collection is huge. Some of the fossils look freshly pressed, it’s amazing how well they are preserved.
The Galerie de Paléontologie et d’Anatomie Comparée is more than just a museum—it’s an experience, a place where the past feels alive, where the bones of ancient creatures whisper stories of a world long gone.
Pratical information
The Galérie has a website.
The Galérie is located within the Jardin des Plantes, a beautiful botanical garden in central Paris. It’s easily accessible by public transport.
The Gare d’Austerlitz (RER C or Metro Lines 5 and 10) is just a short walk away, as are several bus stops nearby. Once you’re at the Jardin des Plantes, signs will guide you to the gallery.
After our museum visit, we walked from the museum to the Notre Dame in about 30 minutes.
Ticket price (full price) costs 12 euro per person. There are reductions for students and families.
You can easily buy a ticket at the museum. If you want to avoid queues, prebook online.
Accommodation
We stayed in Hotel Paris Boulogne , a decent 4 star hotel at the outskirts of Paris. This small hotel offers pleasant rooms and an excellent breakfast.
The hotel is located in a quiet residential area, at 5 minutes walk from the metro. Line 9 brings you to Paris center in 20 minutes.
Plus of the hotel is the spacious parking (16 euro per night).
Our recommendations
Some recommendations when visiting the Galérie
- Book a ticket online to avoid the queues.
- Reserve at least half a day for a visit. There are so many things to enjoy.
- If you don’t want to drive around in Paris, take the train. Alternatively, look for accommodation at the outskirts of Paris offering parking. It should be close to a metro station.
Interested in more musea in Paris? Have a look at our tips for an unforgettable visit to the Musée d’Orsay.
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