Minecraft minerals in the real world, at the Musée de Minéralogie des Mines de Paris!

From April 1 to August 29, 2025, the Musée de Minéralogie Mines Paris - PSL invites us to plunge into a captivating journey between the virtual world and geological reality, with its unique mini-exhibition "Minerals in Minecraft".

When science meets the pixel: a playful experience in the heart of Paris

Who would have thought that the colorful blocks of Minecraft could open the doors to a veritable cabinet of mineral curiosities ? That's precisely the challenge taken up by the Musée de Minéralogie de l'École des Mines de Paris, nestled at 60 boulevard Saint-Michel, in the 6th arrondissement. From April 1 to August 29, 2025, the mini-exhibition "Minerals in Minecraft" takes up residence in the museum's permanent gallery, echoing the eagerly-awaited release of Minecraft, The Movie.

Conceived as a bridge between thevirtual world of video games and the geological treasures of our planet, this exhibition offers a sensory and educational immersion into the materials that make up both our digital worlds and the ground beneath our feet.

A human-scale exhibition at the crossroads of the imaginary and the real

In a 70 m² space, twelve showcases come to life around forty exceptional specimens: minerals, rocks, gems and meteorites are presented directly opposite their Minecraft block equivalents. A shiny copper block meets its oxidized counterpart; a fragment of lapis lazuli immediately evokes its familiar blue pixels; emeralds, diamonds and meteorites are revealed in all their raw splendor.

Imagine explaining to your children how a diamond is created, not by smashing a block with a pickaxe, but by millions of years of earth pressure... all in an exceptional setting, one of the world's oldest and richest mineralogy museums, with over 100,000 samples collected since 1794, 5,000 of which are on public display.

Each showcase becomes a playground for scientific discovery, supported by enthusiastic mediators. And that's not all: visitors are also invited to explore the gallery as a whole, in search of "hidden" samples, as if on a life-size treasure hunt.

Expo Les minéraux dans Minecraft Photo : Romain Bolzoni / Musée de Minéralogie Mines Paris - PSL.

Are you a Minecraft fan? A geology enthusiast? Looking for an original outing to do with your kids during the school vacations? Then this exhibition is for you.

For five months, the "Minerals in Minecraft" exhibition offers a playful gateway to a scientific heritage rarely brought to light, ideal for a family outing, a meeting between enthusiasts, or an unusual discovery on your own.

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