Versailles, France — There is another reason to head to Versailles this summer besides its castle and royal regalia, for Versailles harbors one of the finest collection of trees in all the land in the Arboretum de Versailles-Chevreloup of the Museum national d’histoire naturelle, France’s National Natural History Museum. The vast natural setting, an arboretum is a botanical collection composed exclusively of trees, is home to a collection of 2,500 species of trees from five continents. The 500 acre (200 hectare) estate reveals one of the richest collections of its kind in Europe and has been an integral part of the royal domaine of Versailles since 1685. For nearly a century, the Natural History Museum of France has worked toward creating a living tree museum which has been designated a remarkable garden. And remarkable it is. The Arboretum is committed to biodiversity and this year is holding an exhibition showcasing insects and their importance to the environment. Entitled Insects, in the Service of Ecosystems, the exhibition showcases the importance and the diversity of insects and the role they play in maintaining biodiversity. 

The visit also offers a fine expedition into the outdoors. Beginning in a new exhibition room at the Arboretum, it wends through an outdoor path of about one mile (1.6 kilometers). The journey offers an insight into insects, including the great pollinators, the bees, through 3D models, entomological display boxes, spectacular macro photography and fun and interactive presentations as well as what nature has to naturally offer.  Also on display are natural habitats, hives and nests emanating from the museum’s rich collections. Outdoors in the Arboretum visitors can discover the bee pollinators, butterflies, beetles, flies, bees and a host of insects attracted by the flowers that populate the site. There are even deck chairs set out to leisurely observe our flying friends in style. Exhibition until November 5th. Open daily. Free the first Sunday of the month. ©Trish Valicenti for The Gourmet Gazette. 30, route de Versailles – 78150 Le Chesnay – Rocquencourt. Tel. : 01 39 55 53 80. arboretumdeversailleschevreloup.fr  and MNHN.fr

See also: https://thegourmetgazette.com/2023/07/01/a-tour-within-a-tour-with-the-biodiversity-tour-of-the-tour-de-france/