The Palais du Roi de Rome in Rambouillet, near Paris, was built for the son of Emperor Napoleon more than 200 years ago.
It may not be the most likely place to find floors full of New Zealand’s endemic biodiversity but, nevertheless, there it is—nine rooms, two floors, over 200 m² of kākāpō, kiwi, kakī…
Juvenile kakī
The multimedia exhibition, Aotearoa New Zealand, the Protectors of the Lost Ark, has been at the French palace for the past few weeks (finishing September 28).
It is the culmination of years of work by French writer / photographer Sabine Bernert, who wanted to “show the fascinating and rich endemic biodiversity of New Zealand and celebrate the tireless dedication of its protectors”.
Will Batson with long-tailed bat
The exhibition includes 93 stunning pictures, 20 illustrated posters, and a 17 minute film with interviews.
Morepork
Sabine, who has also been running special guided tours of the exhibition for schools, tells us that French audiences are captivated:
“People love it and are very surprised to discover these aspects of New Zealand, far from the rugby and the sheep!”
Marlborough green gecko
Sabine worked closely with DOC while creating this exhibition (a big shout out to Ros Cole and Les Moran in particular) and we’re excited to be so beautifully represented.
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- Harlequin gecko
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- Whio
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- Takahē
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- Kākāpō
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- Weka
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- Kākāriki
Surely the Palais du Roi de Rome has never experienced such remarkable treasures before.
The Palais du Roi de Rome
The exhibition inside the Palais du Roi de Rome
Yellow-eyed penguin / hoiho
