In the past, this neoclassical-style building houses the colonial council in Réunion Island. Nestled amidst the State Garden in Saint-Denis, the Natural History Museum opened its doors in August 1855, spurred on the mayor at the time, Gustave Manès, a man who was very keen in natural sciences.   

In August 1855, whilst the first visitors discover this new cultural site, the museum already houses 12000 objects.  Most of the objects were brought from Paris by the curator at that time   

Today, the museum has 42 000 with gems such as the thousands engravings of Martinet featuring the work of Georges-Louis Leclerc de Buffon on the natural history of birds which have been offered by Buffon, himself.  

The earliest objects arrived more precisely in 1854.  These are stuffed animals and a head of an Egyptian mummy, objects which can still be seen. 
In 1925, due to the impressive enrichment of the collection, the west wings of the building are being expanded.     

A building ranked amongst the historical Monument

The various exhibitions, whether they are permanent or temporary, bring the biodiversity of the islands in the Indian Ocean into the limelight.  They are not only beautiful to see but have also an undeniable scientific interest.      

Besides, because of the significance of its collection, the museum has been rated as a historical monument in 1961.  It's setting, the State Garden - zoological garden created by the East India Company - would also be ranked, but later on, in 1978. 

Laura Bassetti
January 2008