The Galerie de Paléontologie at the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle (MNHN) in Paris houses one of the world’s most remarkable fossil collections, illustrating the evolution of life across geological time.

To strengthen family-oriented mediation and raise awareness of contemporary biodiversity issues, the MNHN commissioned the creation of an interactive device to be deployed across several of its sites.

Mazedia designed a hybrid digital-and-paper tour, currently installed at both the Galerie de Paléontologie and the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution, and soon to be deployed at the Paris Zoological Park, another MNHN site.

The trail consists of ten stations combining tablet-based games with booklet activities, where clues revealed through the digital experience allow visitors to complete the booklet and progress toward solving a final riddle.

The modules (thematic quizzes, an augmented reality experience centered on Archaeopteryx, drag-and-drop activities, interactive exploration of specimens via points of interest, and progressive reconstruction of a skeleton) translate scientific concepts into accessible and engaging experiences.

Each station highlights a key specimen or element of the collections, encouraging observation, manipulation and understanding of the links between fossils, evolution and present-day biodiversity.

Designed for families with children aged 8 and above, the trail promotes intergenerational collaboration and hands-on discovery.

Mazedia also supplied the tablets, equipped with ergonomic and robust custom-designed protective cases suited for family use and for seamless switching between booklet and digital interface.

An exclusive interview with a palaeontologist concludes the experience, offering scientific and human insight into biodiversity issues and the research conducted at the Muséum.