The Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle (French National Museum of Natural History) is at the interface between research, culture and society. It is dedicated to develop a knowledge and understanding of nature and to the relationships that humans have with nature. It is at one and the same time a centre of research, learning and expertise, and also includes a wealth of collections that it presents in its museums, botanical gardens, zoos and libraries.
It has almost four centuries of scientific challenges behind it, but is resolutely turned to the future, bringing together disciplines and professions, which make it a benchmark institution for ecological and social issues. Through the scope of its activities, which combine natural, human and social sciences, it is able to rally incomparable levels of skills and knowledge and to shine a scientific light on the major challenges of the 21st century.