"When it was created in 1626 le Jardin royal des plantes medicinales had three chairs: those of Demonstateur des plantes, Pharmacy, and Pharmaceutical Operations. Apothecaries at the Jardin challenged the Sorbonne by giving the first chemistry lessons taught in France with public demonstration. Philippe Jaussaud's work traces the life, work and contribution of these apothecaries, who we now call pharmacists, to the development of the garden that has become a Museum. They held chemistry chairs there, but also distinguished themselves in natural history, chairs in zoology, physiology, plant physics and even mineralogy. The multidisciplinary nature of their training undoubtedly explains their diversity of interests and skills. Some, like Milne-Edwards or Fontaine were directors of the Museum. All of them, through the quality of their work, have left their mark in the immense field of scientific research. From Nicaise Le Febvre to Pierre Potier, via Nicolas Vauquelin, the author reveals a section of an original story, that of pharmaceutical sciences from the 17th century to the present day" (publisher).