Nestled in the Jardin des Plantes, the Geology & Mineralogy Gallery of the National Museum of Natural History in Paris offers a fascinating journey through Earth’s history. Tracing its roots back to the "royal drug cabinet" of 1625, the collection was first publicly displayed in 1745. Its building, designed by Charles Rohault de Fleury, was constructed between 1833 and 1837, and opened as the first French museum building in 1841.

Spanning nearly 2,000 m² across a central nave and two side wings, it houses around 770,000 specimens: rocks, minerals, crystals, gemstones, meteorites (including Martian ones), and mineral artworks. The permanent exhibition “Treasures of the Earth,” launched after extensive renovation in 2014, showcases nearly 600 items, with around thirty giant crystals and compelling phenomena like fluorescence.

This immersive, educational pathway, developed with museum scientists, guides visitors through key questions: what defines a mineral? Where does it originate? How does it form? Discover crystallization processes, diverse shapes, global origins, and explore the early Solar System via meteorites.

Atmospherically, the gallery combines solemnity and wonder: classical parquet floors, elegant wood display cases, subdued lighting—a refined neoclassical ambiance. Visitors—from geology enthusiasts and families to students—are offered adapted experiences, such as tactile visits, French Sign Language support and bilingual documentation.

Beyond minerals, the gallery narrates a tale: from medicinal stones under Louis XIII, to Crown jewels like Louis XIV’s famous blue diamond, and the Ilia Deleff collection of giant crystals acquired in 1983. A captivating anecdote: many specimens once belonged to royal pharmacies, believed to hold healing powers.

Practical info: open Wednesday to Monday, 10 AM–6 PM (closed Tuesdays, Jan 1, May 1, Dec 25), ticket office closes at 5 PM. Allow 1–1.5 h for the visit. Free entry for EU under‑26s, jobseekers, low‑income individuals, disabled visitors and companions, journalists, ICOM members.

Nearby: Grande Galerie de l’Évolution, greenhouses, menagerie, botanic garden—ideal for a day combining culture and leisure. Easily accessible via metro (Jussieu, Censier-Daubenton, Monge), RER, bus, and Batobus.