A NEW CALEDONIAN GLASSHOUSE IN PARIS – CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

This chapter discusses the renovation of the public glasshouses (Les Grandes Serres) at the Museum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris (MNHN) and particularly the creation of a glasshouse presenting the rich and unique flora of New Caledonia, a French overseas territory in the Pacific Ocean. The displays demonstrate past and current scientific studies carried out by MNHN researchers in all fields of natural history. Current concerns over the degradation of the biodiversity of the region have led to the decision taken by the Department of Botanical and Zoological Gardens to display this ecosystem. Five of the most threatened or important ecosystems of the archipelago have been recreated in the glasshouses and have full disabled access. The reopening of Les Grandes Serres was a landmark for the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity at MNHN.