Tabloo

About the museum

Tabloo is a visitor and meeting centre in Dessel about radioactivity, the management of radioactive waste and research into nuclear applications. It is an initiative of NIRAS, together with the local partnerships STORA and MONA and the municipalities of Dessel and Mol. The centre lies close to the planned location of the disposal facility for low- and medium-level short-lived waste.

The origins go back to 1998, when the federal government had a participatory study carried out into a disposal site. Dessel and Mol took part, represented by the local groups STORA and MONA. In 2006 the federal government chose Dessel; one of the conditions was a communication centre. In 2011 the choice fell on the site on the Gravenstraat, in 2013 an international architecture competition was announced, and in 2014 the design by Bovenbouw Architecten and ONO architectuur won. The name Tabloo was chosen in 2015, construction began in 2019 and the first test visits followed in 2021. In 2022 Tabloo officially opened.

The heart of the building is the permanent exhibition Expoo, with dozens of interactive displays through which you explore radioactivity at your own pace. In addition there are the Repository Walk, the Panoo roof terrace, the park with a playground and the Bistroo with terrace.

Highlights

• Expoo: dozens of interactive displays on radioactivity
• Audio guide for adults and an adapted version for children
• Repository Walk as a walk outside the exhibition
• Panoo roof terrace with panoramic views
• Park with playground and free Wi-Fi throughout the building

Permanent exhibition

• Expoo – Permanent exhibition with dozens of interactive displays through which you explore radioactivity and the management of radioactive waste at your own pace, with an audio guide.

Founded

2022

Operated by

NIRAS

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Residents of Dessel and Mol enter free on the first Sunday of the month.

The price applies to the Expoo exhibition, including the audio guide. Access to the building, the park and the playground is free. Teachers with the Teacher Card and holders of the Riebedebie pass enter free. Buying tickets online is recommended; on site only electronic payment is possible.

Accessibility

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

All spaces except the demonstration experiment are accessible with a pushchair and wheelchair; there are adapted toilets. Tabloo holds the accessibility label A. Dogs are not admitted, except assistance dogs with a certificate.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Playground / play area

Children under 10 enter free. There is a park with a playground, the exhibition consists of interactive displays, and the audio guide exists in a children's version. The board game Radiant Future is intended for ages 16 and over.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi throughout the building. Bistroo is a café-restaurant with a large terrace; its opening hours are on a separate page. There are large picnic tables, a cloakroom and lockers with electronic codes. The shop follows the regular opening hours.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 400 guests.

Available for hire are, among others, rooms of 51 to 234 m² for 30 to 100 people, a theatre hall with 202 seats, the central hall (up to 400 people), an events meadow of 5 ha and the Panoo roof terrace. Parties and family gatherings are handled via Bistroo.

Plan your visit