Musée de Minéralogie, Mineralogy museum in 6th arrondissement, France
The Musée de Minéralogie is a mineralogy museum in the 6th arrondissement of Paris that houses around 100,000 mineral samples in its collection. The exhibition displays approximately 4,000 specimens across the rooms of the Hôtel de Vendôme, showing minerals from different parts of the world with varying colors, shapes, and sizes.
The museum was founded in 1794 by René Just Haüy and started as a collection of minerals to evaluate natural resources for industrial uses. Over time, the collection evolved into a scientific center that documents and studies the diversity of the mineral world.
The museum draws collectors and scientists interested in mineral diversity from around the world and how different regions have explored their geological treasures. Visitors observe how the study of minerals connects people across borders through shared curiosity about Earth's natural formations.
The museum is open on Tuesday through Friday during afternoon hours and on Saturday mornings and afternoons. It's useful to check the exact opening times before your visit, as these can vary and the museum may be closed on holidays.
The museum holds a collection of giant crystals that form the centerpiece of the permanent display and come from long periods of undisturbed growth. These large specimens reveal how much time nature requires to create such formations and capture visitors' attention through their impressive size.
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