Paris: cyber-attack hits Natural History Museum, cancels exhibition

The cyberattack that hit the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle in the last week of July 2025 continues to wreak havoc on the programming of this emblematic institution in the 5th arrondissement of Paris. The attack, described as "massive" by Gilles Bloch, President of the MNHN, paralyzes part of the computer network and access to certain sites and services of the establishment, which is also a research and teaching center. The consequences of this cyber-attack have multiplied, with the cancellation of the Autumn Tropical exhibition, which was to have been one of the highlights of the season in the Grandes Serres.

The "Tropical Autumn: palms, treasures and secrets" exhibition was to be the 5th edition of this plant-based event eagerly awaited by botany enthusiasts in Paris and the surrounding region. Originally scheduled to run from October 16 to November 24, 2025, this tropical immersion promised to explore the fascinating world of palms around four captivating themes: their morphology, their natural habitats, their evolutionary history and their use by humans. This cancellation represents a considerable loss for visitors who had been looking forward to this wonderful discovery in the heart of the Jardin des Plantes' Grandes Serres.

This ransomware-type cyberattack, which occurred at the end of July, neutralized a large part of the Muséum's internal computer network, rendering many of the digital tools essential to the establishment's operations inaccessible. "It was a truly massive attack", confirms Gilles Bloch, President of the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle. The hackers may have "sucked in" data, although the institution reassures us that no information concerning the general public has been compromised.

Faced with this unprecedented situation, the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle immediately lodged a complaint with the Paris public prosecutor's office, which entrusted the investigation to its specialized cybercrime section. In accordance with the doctrine of the French State and public administrations, no payments will be made to cybercriminals. A crisis unit has been set up to coordinate the gradual restoration of services and reinforce the digital security of this institution, which manages millions of items of data on French and global biodiversity.

How does the cyber attack affect the Museum's other activities?

The attack affected all Muséum sites, including the marine stations, disrupting the work of 600 scientists attached to the establishment. Some teams have lost between 30,000 and 50,000 euros in research funding, which they are unable to spend due to a lack of access to control systems. Several online tools dedicated to research, expertise, libraries and collection consultation are no longer accessible, paralyzing part of French natural science research.

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Are the galleries and gardens still open to visitors?

Fortunately, we can continue to discover the wonders of the Muséum. The galleries, zoos and gardens remain open and operating as normal, including the famous Grande galerie de l'évolution, the Jardin des plantes and the Parc zoologique de Vincennes. Only certain themed tours dependent on digital applications have been temporarily suspended.

This cyber attack raises crucial questions about the vulnerability of cultural institutions to digital threats. The Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, located at 57 rue Cuvier in the 5th arrondissement, unfortunately joins the growing list of French cultural establishments that have fallen victim to this type of attack. Last year, 40 museums were affected by similar incidents.

Lovers of the natural sciences who have been waiting for the palm tree exhibition will have to be patient. The MNHN has not yet announced any new dates for this event, as priority is being given to securing systems and restoring essential services. This technological crisis is a reminder of how much our heritage institutions now depend on digital technology for their research, education and cultural dissemination missions.

While we wait for normalcy to return, we can still enjoy the Museum's permanent collections and the beauty of the Grandes Serres, home to a remarkable diversity of tropical plants, even without a temporary exhibition.

Tropical Autumn: Jardin des Plantes exhibition cancelled due to cyber attack
The Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle had organized an immersive exhibition in nature, in the heart of the Grandes Serres of the Jardin des Plantes, from October 16 to November 24, 2025. This exhibition, entitled "Tropical Autumn: palms, treasures and secrets", has had to be cancelled due to a cyber-attack that disrupted the museum's operations. [Read more]