Museum d'histoire naturelle de La Rochelle

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As the first museum in Rochelle, the first museum in Poitou-Charentes, and the tenth museum in France, the Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de la Rochelle is an absolute must-see. 

The museum will provide an in-depth look into various topics, such as the world's cultures, explorers' journeys, fossils, and biodiversity. It has an endearing quality and can be approached by anyone, be they a family, an individual with a curious mind, or someone with a strong passion. 


THINGS TO DO AT MUSEUM D'HISTORIE NATURELLE DE LA ROCHELE:

  • Learn about the curators and the umbrella of institutes that fall into this name:

The Clément Lafaille cabinet of natural history, whose previous owner bequeathed it to the Royal Academy in 1770, served as the inspiration for the museum's design. In 1808, Napoleon personally bestowed upon the city two buildings in the Jésuites Garden. 

In 1832, the cabinet Lafaille collections were put into place there, and over the years, additional supplies contributed by naturalists from the Charentais region have been added to them. 

The Fleurieu was established in 1835 and is situated adjacent to the Lafaille Museum. It houses regional collections separated into rooms devoted to paleontology, geology, zoology, and botany. 

The various museums came together in 1993 to form the Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, now known as the Musée de France and considered one of the most important in the country. 

  • Embrace the change that has come about as a result of the passage of time, as described here: 

Visitors are invited to embark on a journey through the past 10,000 years of scientific advancement. It is based on meticulous museum programming work that focuses on giving a whole meaning to the collections (original cultures, collectors, techniques, etc.), the building (an old episcopal residence), and the organization's history. This has been accomplished through a number of means (personalities, relationship to the land, etc.).  

The museum is home to nine distinct categories of collections, including those about archaeology, ethnology, botany, zoology, mining, petroleum, and paleontology, as well as scientific and technological artifacts. 

In addition to that, it holds a sizeable collection of documentaries. 

  • Pay particular attention to the unique pieces, and immerse yourself entirely in the research: 

A Kwélé mask from the 19th century, a Sao head buried in the earth, a naturalized condor from the Andes, an orca snare, the Giraffe Zarafa, a Mundurucu coiffe, a dodo, and even Jonzac's meteorite are some of the museum's most famous exhibits. 


In the garden, you will find botanical delights waiting for your appreciation and appraisal: 

The museum's mission is carried out in the surrounding area by the Jardin des Plantes, which contains collections of plants from all over the world and includes descriptions of those plants written by famous travelers from earlier centuries. It brings to mind the botanical collections located on the museum's first floor. 

  • Participate in specialized events to gain insightful knowledge: 

The museum serves as a venue for disseminating information, the exhibition, and the preservation of cultural artifacts. 

  • imageDuration Required
    2 hours

Address of Museum d'histoire naturelle de La Rochelle

28 rue Albert 1er, 17000, La Rochelle, France

Opening & Closing time of Museum d'histoire naturelle de La Rochelle

  • Monday
    Closed
  • Tuesday
    10:00-18:00
  • Wednesday
    10:00-18:00
  • Thursday
    10:00-18:00
  • Friday
    10:00-18:00
  • Saturday
    14:00-18:00
  • Sunday
    10:00-18:00

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Museum d'histoire naturelle de La Rochelle

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