Appointed director after the death of Le Verrier in 1877, Rear Admiral Ernest Mouchez (1821-1892) was captivated by the popularization of astronomy and by the very rich assets of the Observatory. He began to create a museum, decorating the west rotunda with the portraits of his predecessors, and grouping together the various books and instruments that had been dispersed all over the institution. Today, this museum is in the main gallery and the north rotunda (Salle Picard), where exhibitions take place. (Hopefully, Perrault’s magnificent building will house a more significant museum and will be more accessible to the public.)

caption : Museum of the Observatory - credits : Observatoire de Paris