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Natural History Museums in France

Natural history and marine museums with collections on animals, plants, minerals and the history of the Earth.

177Museums
12Regions
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Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (26)

Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (23)

Occitania (21)

Nouvelle-Aquitaine (19)

Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (13)

Normandy (12)

Brittany (11)

Hauts-de-France (11)

Île-de-France (11)

Centre-Val de Loire (10)

Grand Est (10)

Pays de la Loire (10)

Natural History Museums in France: Overview & Tips

Our guide lists 177 natural history museums in France, spread across 12 regions and 156 towns and cities. Most of them are in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (26), Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (23), and Occitania (21).

At the city level, Paris (7), Brest (4), and Strasbourg (3) lead the way – ideal if you want to see several natural history museums in a single day.

31 museums are free to visit. For the others with a published price, a regular adult ticket costs €7 at the median, and the middle half charge between €5 and €9.

68 museums are fully wheelchair accessible, 118 offer dedicated programs for families, and 33 have a café or restaurant. These figures come from our ongoing research – museums whose details we haven’t verified yet aren’t included in the counts.

Top 10 natural history museums in France

Frequently asked questions

How many natural history museums are there in France?

Our directory currently lists 177 natural history museums in France across 156 towns and cities.

What are the best-known natural history museums in France?

Some of the best known are Muséum de Toulouse, Palais de la découverte, Citadelle de Besançon, Forteresse de Mimoyecques, and Galerie de Paléontologie et d'Anatomie comparée.

Which natural history museums in France offer free admission?

31 museums are free to visit – for example Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Marseille, Muséum Requien, Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Grenoble, and Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Perpignan.

Which natural history museums in France are open on Mondays?

Many museums are closed on Mondays, but according to their regular hours 41 are open, such as Citadelle de Besançon, Forteresse de Mimoyecques, and Musée de la Camargue.

Which natural history museums in France are wheelchair accessible?

68 museums are fully wheelchair accessible, including Muséum de Toulouse, Palais de la découverte, and Forteresse de Mimoyecques. Others are partially accessible – you’ll find the details on each museum’s page.

How much does it cost to visit natural history museums in France?

A regular adult ticket costs €7 at the median, with prices ranging from €2 to €28. Children, students and families usually pay less.

Other categories: Art & Design · History & Cultural History · Science & Technology · Archaeology & Antiquity · Memorials · Castles, Palaces & Monasteries · Open-Air Museums · City & Regional Museums · World Cultures & Ethnology · People & Literature · Special-Interest Museums