The most important of the Museum's collections is the one of Natural History samples and specimens collected by Prince Albert 1 and his assistants during 28 oceanographic cruises carried out in the Mediterranean and the northern Atlantic between 1884 and 1915.
This collection has a wealth of several hundred thousand pieces among which several thousands of types, that is to say specimens thank to which science was able to describe an animal or plant species for the first time.
Its interest lies above all in its illustration of the biodiversity of marine life. Scientists from all over the would still resort to it for their works.
Another collection testifies to the history of oceanography in general and Prince Albert 1's work in particular. It contains instruments for scientific measurements, most of which were perfected by the Prince and his assistants.
Several thousand photographs of the time can also be seen, illustrating the scientific cruises.
The paintings, watercolors and drawings were done by artists on board oceanographic ships on the occasion of the cruises.
Finally, and since the intention of the scientist Prince we also to illustrate the place occupied by the sea in human societies, ample room is given to handicraft and artistic pieces, whether secular or holy.
The collections are also enriched every year by scientific sampling at sea, donations, acquisitions and "in-house" creations. This was the case, for example for the 45-foot long model sperm whale set up in the eastern gallery on the first floor in the year 2000.
Like the collections that benefit from restoration and conservation operations as often as possible, the rooms in the Museum have undergone major renovation in recent years, with a twofold objective. Most enhances the original architecture of the rooms while providing modern structures (electric cables for lighting and supplying multimedia equipment, interactive digital video cables, computer networks...).
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