Musée de paléontologie de Chilhac

About the museum

The museum displays fossils discovered in the commune of Chilhac, a hilltop village about 70 metres above the Allier, at the foot of a basalt escarpment. The first remains of mastodons and other large mammals were reported there in 1875, after agricultural work.

Palaeontological excavations began in 1968 under the leadership of Christian Guth and Odile Boeuf, in the Rabioulet valley. The Chilhac site is considered one of the major deposits of Haute-Loire. It helps explain the disappearance of the Auvergne mastodon and the climate and environmental changes that brought new animals to the region.

The museum, named after Christian Guth, occupies the first floor, devoted to southern mammoths and Auvergne mastodons. The second floor presents other species found at the site, such as rhinoceros, zebra, giant deer and hyena, and hosts summer exhibitions. A video room, reached by crossing the small inner courtyard, explains the history and importance of the deposit.

Highlights

• Southern mammoths and Auvergne mastodons
• Fossils of rhinoceros, zebra, giant deer and hyena
• Video room on the history of the Chilhac site
• Free educational booklet for children aged 7 to 13
• Village overlooking the Allier, on the GR 470 trail

Permanent exhibitions

• Rez-de-chaussée : mammouths méridionaux et mastodontes d'Auvergne – Skeletons and fossils of the large proboscideans discovered at Chilhac.
• Premier étage : autres espèces du gisement – Information on rhinoceros, zebra, giant deer, hyena and other species found at the site.

Visitors per year

approx. 3,074

Admission & discounts

Rate for a self-guided visit.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

For visitors who find it hard to get around, parking in front of the museum is possible, but there are very few spaces.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The museum offers activities for children, with excavation workshops and a free educational booklet for children aged 7 to 13.

Getting there & parking

For visitors who find it hard to get around, parking in front of the museum is possible, with very few spaces.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit