Judith Pargamin Appointed Director of Muséum de Toulouse
On June 8, 2026, the Métropole de Toulouse announced that Judith Pargamin, the previous director of the Musée d'histoire naturelle de Lille, will take over as the director of the Muséum de Toulouse. She replaces Francis Duranthon, who is 65 years old. Pargamin earned her degree from ENS de Lyon and a PhD from Université de Nantes. Since joining the Institut National du Patrimoine in 2007, she progressed to head of collections in 2008 and became director in 2010. Under her leadership, the Lille museum underwent a €22 million renovation, culminating in the opening of the Gosselet wing in 2021. By 2028, she is expected to create a new scientific and cultural initiative. Founded in 1865, the Toulouse museum is the second largest in France, drawing over 300,000 visitors in 2025.
Key facts
- Judith Pargamin appointed director of Muséum de Toulouse on June 8, 2026.
- She succeeds Francis Duranthon, who had been at the museum since 1982.
- Pargamin led the Musée d'histoire naturelle de Lille for 16 years.
- She holds a PhD in planetology from Université de Nantes and graduated from ENS de Lyon.
- She joined Institut National du Patrimoine in 2007.
- She oversaw a €22 million renovation of the Lille museum, now delayed to 2028 with costs up over 50%.
- Toulouse museum founded in 1865, current building opened in 2008.
- Museum has over 2.5 million collection items and attracted 300,000+ visitors in 2025.
Entities
Institutions
- Muséum de Toulouse
- Musée d'histoire naturelle de Lille
- Métropole de Toulouse
- ENS de Lyon
- Université de Nantes
- Institut National du Patrimoine
- Jardin des Plantes
- Muséum d'histoire naturelle et d'ethnologie
- Institut national du patrimoine
- Le Journal des Arts
Locations
- Toulouse
- France
- Lille
- Paris