Musée des papillons
Entomology museum in Saint-Quentin, housed in the Espace Saint-Jacques, with century-old collections of butterflies and beetles.
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About the museum
The museum was born in 1912 from the bequest of Jules Passet, a wealthy amateur entomologist from Saint-Quentin. His collection of butterflies and insects, assembled partly through intermediaries and natural history houses such as Deyrolle, was then considered one of the finest in Europe. The museum was inaugurated on May 4, 1914 at the Palais de Fervaques.
The two World Wars brought several moves and damage. Other collections were added, notably those of Verplancke (1942), Canon de Larminat (1988) and Dubourg (2003). After temporary homes, the collections arrived in 1989 at the Espace Saint-Jacques, in the former chamber of commerce building in neo-Gothic style.
The displays were completely renewed in 2017–2018. The holdings comprise an estimated 600,000 specimens, of which 11,000 are on display, mainly butterflies and beetles, along with 42 period pieces of furniture.
Highlights
- Passet collection of butterflies, bequeathed in 1912
- Morpho butterflies, ornithoptera and large moths
- Beetles from around the world
- Period furniture with glass-fronted drawers
- Laboratory for discovering insect biology through play
- Little explorers' space
Permanent exhibitions
- Galerie des collections – Butterflies, beetles and other insects from around the world, displayed in period furniture.
- Laboratoire des scientifiques – A space to discover insect biology through play.
- Espace des petits explorateurs – An activity space for children around insects.
- Founded
- 1912
- Operated by
- Ville de Saint-Quentin
- Visitors per year
- approx. 22,896
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Children aged 5 to 17, students, people with disabilities, seniors over 65 and job seekers (with proof) |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 4 · Children aged 5 to 17; free for children under 5. |
| Seniors | €3Over 65, with proof. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €3With proof. |
| Students & apprentices | €3With proof. |
| Groups | €2 per personGroups of more than 15 people on a self-guided visit. Guided visit for adult groups (15 to 25 people, admission and tour): flat fee of €60. School groups from Saint-Quentin and its suburbs: free; school groups from outside the area: flat fee of €35. |
| Families | €8Family pass for 2 adults and 2 children. |
| Workshops, tours and activities | €4 |
| Holiday course (2 half-days) | €8 |
Free admission: Free admission on the first Sunday of the month.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €8 · Family pass for 2 adults and 2 children. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
Little explorers' space, a laboratory for discovering insect biology through play, puzzles, models and a digital table. Wednesday workshops and holiday courses; family pass at €8 (2 adults and 2 children).
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
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
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Themed guided tours, Wednesday workshops, courses during school holidays and lectures. Educational service for school groups: +33 3 23 06 94 59. Visit with listening, close observation with a magnifying glass, puzzles, models, a digital table and video screens. |
