MACROPHYTES gathers a unique collection of marine macrophytes, a reference library and the associated database. The collection is the third largest in France, with more than 40,000 specimens from the 19th to 21st centuries and indexed at a global level (HCOM) since June 2009. The facility encourages and enables the preservation and enjoyment of cultural and scientific heritage (e.g., historical collections, books and dried specimens) and is used as a first-class reference collection. The collections are being digitized through the national « e-recolnat » project under the lead of the MNHN in Paris.