At the Nantes History Museum, an exhibition explains how the Mongols changed the world under Genghis Khan

Emperor Genghis Khan’s credo: unite territories instead of dividing them to rule better. The exhibition “How the Mongols changed the world” can be seen at the Château des ducs de Bretagne.

The long-awaited exhibition on Genghis Khan and the Mongols finally opened its doors last October at the Château des ducs de Bretagne in Nantes, despite numerous attempts at censorship by the Chinese authorities in 2020. There is still time, until May 5, for visitors to come and dive into the heart of a culture that dates back eight centuries.

A total of 450 items are on display, 300 of which were loaned by the Chinggis Khaan National Museum in Mongolia. A small treasure that, for most of them are crossing the west for the first time. Exhibition Genghis Khan: How the Mongols Changed the World it was recognized as “of national interest” by the Ministry of Culture.

For many Mongolian citizens in France, this exhibition is of particular importance. Oyun-Erdene Yalsan, a Mongolian mother living in Paris, came especially to share her culture with her daughter. “She already knew a few words, traditional costume, but wrestlers, sports and traditional Naadam festivals were new to her.”

At its height, the Mongol Empire controlled more than 22% of the earth’s surface. Today, this culture has become a minority, but it still fascinates and attracts those who want to discover its riches. Proof of this is that this exhibition has attracted 200,000 visitors since October, who came to discover a part of history that is little known to the general public.

After years of conflict between the Mongol tribes that inhabited Eurasia, from the Polish border to Korea, the year 1206 marked a historical turning point thanks to Genghis Khan. He managed to unite these tribes in an alliance, which started a territorial expansion of unprecedented proportions. He is at the beginning of one of the greatest empires of all time.

Genghis Khan is often seen as a ruthless conqueror. But more than that, he showed how a people united through religious tolerance and trade can turn a few divided territories into a world power. This is what the exhibition shows Genghis Khan: chow the Mongols changed the world in the History Museum in Nantes.

Exposure “Genghis Khan: chow the Mongols changed the world”, until 5 May in the Nantes-Château des ducs de Bretagne Historical Museum. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., every day except Monday.