Musée végétal

About the museum

The museum was born in the premises of the Vilmorin company in Verrières-le-Buisson. In 1905, Philippe de Vilmorin set up the family collections there, initially called the “museum of botanical economy”: seed samples, forage plants, improved cereal ears and casts of fruits and vegetables. After the site was sold in 1964, the company's collections were moved to Maine-et-Loire.

In 1975, the buildings became the André Malraux cultural center. A local history museum opened in October 1982 in the large hall of the former Vilmorin museum, founded by the association L'Historique de Verrières. It displays tools of local craftsmen (farrier, carpenter, clogmaker), procession banners and many objects on the history of the town.

The museum was renovated and reopened in June 2025 on the third floor of the cultural center, under the name “Musée végétal.” Its route shows the role of plants in local history and showcases the Vilmorin herbarium, with 86,000 sheets (1767–1978), listed as a historic monument in 2007. The town took it over after the closure of the botany laboratory of the University of Orsay, and the association Les Amis du musée runs the place with volunteers.

Highlights

• Vilmorin herbarium with 86,000 sheets, listed as a historic monument in 2007
• Route on the role of plants in the history of Verrières-le-Buisson
• Interactive elements and herbaria to consult
• Tools of local craftsmen and objects on the history of the town
• History of the Vilmorin-Andrieux company, a pioneer of plant breeding

Permanent exhibition

• Musée végétal – On the third floor, a route on the role of plants in local history, with herbaria to consult and interactive elements; on the second floor, objects on the town's artisanal, educational and industrial past.

Founded

1982

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the cultural center is free for everyone.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Storage room for strollers and balance bikes in the entrance hall of the cultural center.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi in all areas of the cultural center, after accepting the terms of use charter.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit