The Nantes museum is made up of an important scientific heritage, placing it among the first in France, in number of specimens. Zoology Gallery: More than a thousand specimens of vertebrate animals have been selected, studied, restored and organized according to a path that offers visitors a modern classification of the animal world, underpinned by the principles of evolution, only able to explain the complexity of the living world. Earth and Universe Sciences Gallery: Created since the 19th century, the collections of Earth and Universe Sciences include minerals, rocks and fossils. The meteorite collection, one of the richest in France, illustrates our knowledge of the Universe. Vivarium: About twenty regional, national and exotic living species illustrate the diversity of this often unloved group. Malacology: The presentation of the 5,000 gastropod shells (single-shell molluscs, most often spiral) exhibited in the mezzanine of the Museum, dates from the 1920s. Botanical collections: Climbing the staircase leading to the first floor, the visitor discovers a beautiful collection of wood planks in longitudinal cut exposed in panelling along the walls, from the vestibule to the landing of the first floor.