Musée des Cristaux
Mineralogy museum in Chamonix: crystals from the Alps, the Mont Blanc massif and the five continents, in a presentation renewed in 2021.
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About the museum
The Musée des Cristaux, located in the Espace Tairraz behind the church in Chamonix, presents the mineralogy of the Alps, France, Europe and the world. After more than two years of renovation, it reopened in 2021 with a new scenography.
It displays the mineralogical collections of the Musée alpin and of the Club de minéralogie de Chamonix, du Mont-Blanc et des Alpes du Nord. Part of the mineralogical collections from the Alps and France has the “Musée de France” label.
The route begins along the Alpine arc, with pieces from the Mont Blanc massif, then moves from French mines and quarries to the five continents. A Treasure Room brings together precious metals, gemstones and semi-precious stones, rough or cut.
Highlights
- Rose-red fluorites, smoky quartz, axinites and epidotes from the Mont Blanc massif
- Iconic pieces from the five continents: azurites from Chessy-les-Mines, aquamarines from Pakistan, Australian opals
- Treasure Room: precious metals, gemstones and semi-precious stones
- Visit with a crystal expert from the mineralogy club during school holidays
- Free treasure hunt for children with the character Quartzy
Permanent exhibition
- Minéralogie des Alpes et du monde – The route starts in the Alps and the Mont Blanc massif, passes through French mines and quarries, then presents pieces from the five continents, with a Treasure Room.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5.50Holders of the Viacham card or host card, large families, students, people over 65, people with disabilities, job seekers |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free for under 18s. |
| Seniors | €5.50People over 65. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €5.50 |
| Students & apprentices | €5.50 |
| Groups (10+ people) | €5.50 per personAdult groups from 10 people; children's groups: €3.60 per person. Groups by reservation only, maximum 50 people. |
| Children's group, per person (from 10 people) | €3.60 |
| Pass Musées (one year) | €25Unlimited entry for one year to the museums of the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc valley; on sale at the entrance to the valley's museums. |
Payment by bank card or cash.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- 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
The route is step-free and the museum is accessible without assistance to wheelchair users. A lift from the Saint-Michel car park gives access; a sloping path from the tourist office is also provided. Reduced rate for people with disabilities.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
All year during opening hours, two free games with the character Quartzy are available on request at reception: “À la découverte du cristal mystère” from age 6, and a museum exploration notebook from age 8.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Chamonix Centre
Chamonix Centre bus stop; Mulet shuttle “Casino” stop; Chamonix-Centre railway station.
By car
Paid parking
Saint-Michel car park, at the foot of the museum (paid and covered according to the Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc tourist portal).
The museum is on the forecourt of the Saint-Michel car park, behind the church, near the town centre.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Coat check
Cloakroom and toilets on site.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided visit with a crystal expert from the Chamonix mineralogy club: Thursdays at 14:15 and 16:15 during French school holidays, from age 10, by reservation, included in the admission price. Groups are welcome all year round by reservation. |
