Musée de Préhistoire des gorges du Verdon
Departmental museum designed by Norman Foster, presenting around one million years of human presence in the Gorges du Verdon.
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About the museum
The Musée de Préhistoire des gorges du Verdon is a departmental museum of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department. Two local councillors from Quinson proposed the project in 1986, and the prehistorian Henry de Lumley suggested creating a museum. The department approved the project in 1990, the foundation stone was laid in 1997, and the museum opened on June 1, 2001. The British architect Norman Foster won the competition launched in 1992.
The elongated two-level building is about 120 meters long. Its curved walls, one concave and one convex, form the central entrance hall.
The collections bring together objects from some sixty sites excavated over more than fifty years in the Gorges du Verdon and Haute-Provence. The permanent exhibition covers about one million years, from the Paleolithic to the Roman conquest, with life-size animals, scenes of everyday life and interactive displays. The museum is near the Préhistosite, a prehistoric open-air village, and the Baume Bonne cave, which can be visited with a museum guide.
Highlights
- Norman Foster’s architecture
- About one million years of human presence
- Objects from sixty archaeological sites in the Verdon
- Life-size animals and scenes of everyday life
- Audio guide in five languages included
- Founded
- 2001
- Operated by
- Département des Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6Young people aged 6 to 18, students, job seekers, RSA recipients, people with disabilities and holders of the Passeport des musées |
| Children & teens | €6free up to age 5 · Rate for ages 6 to 18; free for under-6s. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €6 |
| Students & apprentices | €6 |
| Families | €22Package for 2 adults and 2 children, plus €3 for each additional child. |
| Ambassador card (unlimited access for one year) | €14 |
Reduced rates also exist for large families. In summer, paid workshops (€5 for adults, €4 for children) and a visit to the Baume Bonne cave are added to the admission and must be booked. Tickets bought online avoid the queue.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- 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
The museum holds the “Tourisme et handicap” label and has an elevator.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €22 · Package for 2 adults and 2 children, plus €3 for each additional child. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
Workshops and activities for children. A family orientation trail leads to the neighboring Préhistosite (map available at reception). In summer, activities such as lighting a fire, archery and spear-throwing are offered, by reservation.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Parking for cars and coaches.
The museum is in the Verdon Regional Natural Park.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Lockers
Shop, luggage storage and a charging point for e-bikes. A picnic area is nearby.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
A meeting room or auditorium can be hired.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (FR, DE, IT, EN, NL) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The audio guide is included with the ticket. Guided and educational visits are offered. The Baume Bonne cave can only be visited with a museum guide, by reservation. Animals are not admitted. |
