The Zootheque

The zoological collection of the Chemistry and Biology Department contains nearly 50, 000 natural history specimens collected since the 19th century: stuffed animals, mounted skeletons, entomological boxes, specimens preserved in fluid, etc.
zoothequeAmerican white butterfly (monarchs) in an insect box

This collection was established when the Faculty of Science was founded in the early 19th century, based on natural history cabinets. It was then enriched over time thanks to collections and donations from collectors and scientists. Among them, Louis Arnoux, a surgeon and naturalist from Grenoble, donated numerous specimens in 1846 that he had brought back from his circumnavigation of New Zealand aboard the corvette Le Rhin.  


Abandoned in the 1940s and for nearly half a century, the collection has now regained its rightful place in teaching at the Chemistry and Biology Department. It is regularly enriched with new specimens, particularly marine animals collected during educational field trips.

The collection room is a major asset for the university educationof biology and medicine students.

Cerastes cerastes (horned viper) in fluid
Cerastes cerastes (horned viper) in fluid
Diodon sp. (porcupinefish) preserved specimen
Diodon sp. ( porcupinefish) preserved specimen

This collection allows students to understand:

  • Direct observation of rare specimens (birds, reptiles, desert mammals, cave-dwelling fauna, etc.), animals that are difficult to obtain for medical reasons (parasitic worms), or groups of animals gathered in one place (land predators, herbivore skulls, shorebird beaks, etc.).

  • Morphological and anatomical study of the evolution of animal groups covered in practical work or nature outings: comparison of human and ape skeletons, evolution linked to bipedalism, etc.

  • Recognition of species diversity, a major challenge for biodiversity conservation, through observation of series of species belonging to the same clade (gastropods in coastal environments, cave fauna, forest birds, etc.).

The zoology collection today
The zoology collection today
Published on February 12, 2019
Updated on January 29, 2026