Musée d'Histoire naturelle et Vivarium

About the museum

The Tournai natural history museum is the oldest of its kind in Belgium. Founded under Dutch rule by enthusiasts passionate about science and zoology, it opened to the public on 13 September 1829 in the reception rooms of the Town Hall. Since 1839 it has been housed in the outbuildings of the Saint-Martin Abbey.

Over time the collections suffered: both World Wars left their mark, with animals used as targets in 1914 and a building bombed in 1940. From 1959 the museum was reorganised by volunteer curator Paul Simon, who introduced modern display techniques and created a diorama room where animals are shown in their natural habitat. From 1978 his successor, Philippe Brunin, gave the museum new energy with educational exhibitions and an exhibition on animal art.

In 2001 a vivarium devoted in particular to endangered species opened. Since November 2019, a science garden of some fifteen ares extends the visit, with enclosures for turtles, snakes, lizards and European amphibians, flowering meadows with an educational beehive, a touch pool with fish from our region and a greenhouse of exotic butterflies. After eight months of energy-renovation work, the museum reopened on 6 December 2025. It now also has an international scientific reach.

Highlights

• Belgium's oldest natural history museum, opened in 1829
• Vivarium with endangered species
• Diorama room showing animals in their habitat
• Garden with touch pool, educational beehive and exotic butterfly house
• Housed in the former outbuildings of the Saint-Martin Abbey

Permanent exhibitions

• Collections et vivarium – Mounted zoological collections, the diorama room and a vivarium focusing in particular on endangered species.
• Jardin scientifique et serre à papillons – Science garden with reptile and amphibian enclosures, educational beehive, touch pool and exotic butterfly house; open from 1 April to 31 October.

Founded

1829

Operated by

Ville de Tournai

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every first Sunday of the month, for all visitors

Also free for teachers, the press, Museum Pass holders, museum-related associations, school groups from the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, municipal and CPAS staff, guides from the Tournai guides' association and tourist accommodation providers. Free admission applies on presentation of a card confirming the status. The ticket desk closes half an hour before the museum closes.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum and its toilets are signposted as accessible to people with reduced mobility. Animals are not admitted.

Kids & families

• Hands-on stations

The garden includes a touch pool with fish from our region and a greenhouse of exotic butterflies.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Souvenir shop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit