Extreme Cold. Memories of the Poles

The polar regions, with their breathtaking landscapes, exert a certain magnetism. For centuries, numerous explorers and scientific adventurers have taken on the challenge of confronting the extreme conditions of the Arctic and Antarctic by sea.

All these expeditions brought back specimens, samples and objects, which formed the basis of remarkable collections, as well as maps, drawings and photographs, which helped to better document these seemingly inaccessible and inhospitable areas. The cold, dry climate and the very low, or even zero, population density of the polar regions offer exceptional conditions for collecting and sampling, making them important scientific centers.

The National Museum of Natural History has always supported this human and scientific adventure and holds many treasures from the great cold, associated with illustrious explorers such as Dumont d'Urville and Charcot.

Today, these collections continue to be enriched and studied by scientists, enabling them to assess the impact of environmental changes on these fragile and rapidly evolving regions. This "Cabinet of Curiosities" tells a story of incredible adventures and exceptional discoveries.

A natural history told by Marie-Béatrice Forel , lecturer and scientific manager of the Museum's paleontology collections, and Pierre Sans-Jofre , lecturer and scientific manager of the Museum's mineralogy and geology collections.