Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Requires €1.1 Billion for Urgent Renovations
On April 16, 2026, Gilles Bloch, the president of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, revealed a need for €1.1 billion to carry out necessary renovations. An evaluation uncovered that over €500 million is required for urgent repairs on severely deteriorated buildings. A study indicated that 74% of the museum's 120 structures need renovation. Notably, the galerie de géologie et de minéralogie and the pavillon des reptiles have remained closed for several years. Currently, the Muséum allocates €20 million each year, with only €10 million coming from state subsidies, leaving just €5 million for maintenance. Bloch urged that state funding should rise to at least €30 million annually to ensure ongoing renovations, cautioning that without this support, projects might cease, jeopardizing France's natural history legacy.
Key facts
- The Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle requires €1.1 billion for renovations.
- An initial assessment identified over €500 million in urgent repairs.
- 74% of the Muséum's 120 buildings, covering 180,000 square meters, need renovation.
- Critical sites like the galerie de géologie et de minéralogie and pavillon des reptiles are closed due to disrepair.
- Collections face poor conservation conditions regarding temperature, humidity, and space.
- Current state subsidies provide only €10 million annually for investment, with €5 million servicing a PPP debt.
- President Gilles Bloch proposed increasing state investment to at least €30 million per year.
- The institution celebrates its 400th anniversary in 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Gilles Bloch
- Marion Krauze
- Jean-Christophe Castelain
Institutions
- Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle
- Le Journal des Arts
- direction de l'Immobilier de l'État
- ESRI
- Musée de l'Homme
- Parc zoologique de Paris
- Grande Galerie de l'évolution
- Jardin des plantes
- hôtel de Magny
- campus Buffon
Locations
- Paris
- France