Deserts

From 2 April to 30 November 2025, the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle de Paris invites you on an exceptional journey through the desert environments of our planet. The exhibition "Deserts ’ takes you from the infinite dunes of the Sahara to the eternal glaciers of the polar deserts, via the arid landscapes of Sonora, Atacama and Gobi. These extreme environments, which cover a third of the Earth's land surface, are home to astonishing biodiversity and breathtaking landscapes.

A scientific and immersive exploration

The ‘Deserts’ exhibition is much more than a simple presentation of arid landscapes. It offers a scientific, entertaining and aesthetic approach to these fascinating environments. Through almost 200 specimens and varied objects from the Museum's collections, you can discover how animal and plant species adapt to these extreme conditions. Multimedia displays and immersive projections plunge you into the heart of these hostile territories, helping you to understand the survival strategies developed by the local flora and fauna. The exhibition also pays tribute to the scientists and explorers who have devoted their lives to the study of deserts, through objects emblematic of their research, such as Théodore Monod's logbook or a meteorite.

Works of art to sublimate deserts

The exhibition also has an artistic dimension, with works by painter Silvère Jarrosson. Through eight monumental canvases created especially for the exhibition, the artist explores the formation of desert landscapes, the role of chance and constraints in their evolution, and the human experience of these environments. These abstract works invite introspection and contemplation, adding a poetic and mysterious touch to the exhibition.

Other exhibitions can be explored at Paris Region.