Less of an exhibition about dinosaurs than an exhibition with dinosaurs, or so they say. Not quite sure what they mean by that. In any case, In the Shadow of the Dinosaurs explores not only the reasons for their extinction (we still don’t know the whole story) but also tries to see if any conclusions can be drawn that might help us from being wiped off the planet too!

photo by Richard Smallbone used under cc licence

The exhibition is divided into four themed parts:

- The world 85 million years ago (i.e. before internet). This first room shows how Earth was at the time and describes the animals that shared it with the dinosaurs.

- The Cretaceous–Tertiary extinction. So there was this meteorite. Most people agree about that, but what other events contributed to the disappearance of the dinosaurs and the rise of the mammals that lived in their shadow?

- The boom of the mammals. That would be us. Well, a lot later, and togethr with a lot of other mammals. Here you’ll discover the diversity of animals that started coming into their own…

- Epilogue, showing – in a fun way – where humans are now in the big DNA gene pool that is planet Earth.

photo by niznoz used under cc licence

There are also guided visits organised, workshops for kids, debates and three books released in conjunction with the exhibition.

photo by Scott Kinmartin used under cc licence

In the Shadow of the Dinosaurs is at the Muséum national de l’histoire naturelle (here) from 14th April 2010 – 14th February 2011. Open every day except Tuesdays from 10am – 6pm. Closed 1st May. Admission 9€/7€ (the ticket also gives you access to the main museum, which has to be seen to be believed!).

Official site: www.mnhn.fr/dinos

2010 will be the year of the DINOSAURS in Paris! To keep you waiting until the « In the Shadow of the Dinosaurs » exhibition at the Muséum histoire naturelle in April, here’s a new exhibition at the Palais de la découverte just near the Champs Elysées, with animated, life-size beasts that’ll make you shiver in awe!The dinosaurs are back at the Palais de la découverte, and the exhibition mentions ‘hunger’ because it’s all about the eating habits of these strange animals. ‘Vegetarian’ dinosaurs ate plantes, but as there was no grass at the time, what vegetables did they eat exactly?

By looking at extremely realistic animatronic models, life-size reconstitutions of skeletons and a reproduction of a dig site for dinosaur bones, you’ll be able to better understand how these huge beasts fed.

Numerous species are shown and explained, from Brachiosaurus to Edmontosaurus, and not forgetting the Tyrannosaurus Rex and (our personal favourite since the Jurassic Park films) the Velociraptor… The feeding habits of the Oviraptor are particularly scrutinised, as it is the only dinosaur whose diet is unknown (we’re guessing it wasn’t pizza).

Throughout the exhibition, you’ll be given more and more clues – some of them contradictory – that will help you come to your own conclusions.

The exhibition La faim des dinosaures (The Hunger of the Dinosaurs) is at the Palais de la découverte (here)from 10th December 2009 – 2nd May 2010.

Open Tuesday – Saturday, 9.30am – 6pm and Sundays and public holidays from 10am – 7pm (gates close 30 minutes beofre the end). Closed Mondays, 1st January and 1st May.

Admission 7€ / 4,50€

Official site (in French unfortunately): www.palais-decouverte.fr