Hôtel de Magny

Hôtel de Magny is a four-story administrative building beside Jardin des Plantes that displays classical French architectural style from the early 1700s. The structure sits directly next to the famous botanical garden and represents one of several historic buildings that form the museum complex.

Architect Pierre Bullet built this mansion between 1696 and 1700 for Elisabeth Thomé as a private residence. The building became part of royal holdings and eventually transformed into an administrative center for the museum.

The building functions as the administrative heart of the Natural History Museum, shaping how the adjacent garden operates through its management role. Staff members working here coordinate the scientific projects and educational programs that visitors experience across the museum's various spaces.

The building is generally closed to visitors because it handles administrative work. You can view it from the outside along the walkway beside Jardin des Plantes when walking along the garden's eastern edge.

From 2008 to 2017, the ground floor housed the Cabinet d'Histoire, displaying rare botanical and zoological illustrations from the museum's collection. This temporary exhibition offered glimpses into historical scientific artwork and natural world documentation.

Location: 5th arrondissement of Paris

Inception: 1700

Architects: Pierre Bullet

Floors above the ground: 4

GPS coordinates: 48.84387,2.35673

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:24