A journey into the heart of 230 years of natural history
What lies behind the doors of the storage rooms at the Besançon Natural History Museum? For the first time, a book invites the public to discover the treasures that have been preserved for more than two centuries at this scientific institution located at the Citadel of Besançon.
Titled *The Collections of the Besançon Natural History Museum*, this 120-page book offers an immersive look at an exceptional heritage, built up over the course of naturalist discoveries, scientific expeditions, and research conducted since the museum’s founding in 1793.
An Exceptional Scientific Heritage
Botany, zoology, paleontology, comparative anatomy, ethnology… The Museum’s collections include thousands of specimens that reflect the evolution of our understanding of the living world.
Beyond their heritage value, these collections remain a valuable resource for scientific research today. They provide a better understanding of the evolution of biodiversity and shed essential light on major contemporary environmental issues.
The Stories Behind the Collections
Much more than just a catalog, this book tells the stories of the women, men, and adventures that have shaped the Museum’s collections. Behind every specimen lies a story: an expedition, a discovery, an encounter, or sometimes an unexpected tale.
Conceived as a true contemporary cabinet of curiosities, the book takes an accessible and richly illustrated approach. Sonia Dourlot’s photographs, combined with the graphic design by Studio Midi à 14h, offer a unique glimpse into collections rarely shown to the public.
Sharing knowledge with as many people as possible
Produced with the support of the DRAC Bourgogne–Franche-Comté, this publication is fully in line with the Museum’s mission: to preserve, study, and share knowledge about our natural heritage.
Through this publication, the Museum aims to make this often-overlooked heritage more accessible and to highlight the essential role of natural history collections in understanding and preserving biodiversity.
Practical Information
The Collections of the Besançon Museum of Natural History
- Publisher: City of Besançon
- Authors: Conservation and Education Team at the Besançon Natural History Museum
- Format: 120 pages
- Price: 18 €
- Where can I buy it? At the Citadel of Besançon gift shop and at participating bookstores.