Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Blois

About the museum

The museum was founded at the end of the 19th century by the Natural History Society of Loir-et-Cher. It first occupied premises in the Palais de l'Évêché. After the bombing of the Second World War, the town hall moved into this palace, and the collections were not shown to the public again until 1983, in the former Jacobin convent, whose buildings date from the 13th century.

The permanent exhibition “Le Blésois, carrefour de régions naturelles” invites visitors on a naturalist walk: heathland and forests, ponds and rivers, dry grassland and marshes, arable land and market gardening between the Loire and the Cher. A video at the entrance introduces the area, and a sound forest reproduces a six-minute day-night cycle. Dioramas, interactive modules and games make nature tangible, especially for children.

About twice a year, a new temporary exhibition is installed, and a small gallery hosts photography or drawing exhibitions. A documentation space offers 1,500 books and periodicals on the environment, available on appointment. Schools have a large room dedicated to educational activities.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition “Le Blésois, carrefour de régions naturelles”
• Dioramas, interactive modules and games
• Sound forest with a six-minute day-night cycle
• Documentation space with 1,500 books and periodicals
• Former Jacobin convent from the 13th century

Permanent exhibition

• Le Blésois, carrefour de régions naturelles – A naturalist walk through the forests, the Beauce plain, the heathland, the Sologne ponds and the Loire valley, with dioramas and interactive modules.

Operated by

Ville de Blois

Admission & discounts

Free admission all year round for residents of Blois thanks to the Pass Blois culture. According to the Town's website, the basic ticket price varies from €2.70 to €5.30.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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 Blois Chambord tourism portal lists disabled access, a lift, adapted toilets and the “Tourisme et Handicap” label (motor and mental disabilities).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Dioramas, hands-on displays, games and interactive modules suited to children. Activities during school holidays, workshops for children and activities for ages 3 to 12.

Getting there & parking

Rue des Jacobins, near the castle and the Maison de la magie.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Souvenir shop and library on site.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit