Research Library
Open all year round
Located at the heart of the Jardin des Plantes, the Research Library welcomes you for all your research in the natural sciences and offers you access to its extensive collections of printed works, archives and manuscripts, whether you are a student, a researcher, an enthusiast or simply curious.
Over 2 million documents of all kinds await researchers and students, as well as anyone with a passion for the natural sciences: printed and digital books and journals, maps, manuscripts, scientific and institutional archives, drawings, photographs, works of art and artefacts. All you need to do is register for free, upon presentation of proof of identity, to gain access to this collection, which is unique in the world.
The most fragile documents, such as the 7,000 watercolours in the prestigious Vélins Collection, can be viewed via the digital library.
Entrée de la Bibliothèque de recherche
© MNHN - A. IatzouraTerms and conditions of access to the Research Library
The Research Library (2nd floor of the Central Library) is a reading room requiring registration. Registration is free of charge. Those eligible include staff and students of the Museum, all students at Master’s level or above, or external readers wishing to access the printed collections or the archives and manuscripts, regardless of their status. The archive and manuscript collections and the rare books collection can be consulted in a designated area of the Research Library, the reference room.
If you do not meet these criteria, you are welcome to use the Media Library, located on the ground floor of the Central Library, which offers 80 study spaces.
Bibliothèque de recherche
© MNHN - A. Iatzoura
Bibliothèque de recherche
© MNHN - A. Iatzoura Address & contact
Bibliothèque centrale
38 rue Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 75005 Paris
bibliotheques [at] mnhn.fr