Muséum d’histoire naturelle de Bourges

About the museum

The Bourges natural history museum was founded at the beginning of the 20th century. A first exhibition of taxidermied animals opened in June 1926 at the Palais Jacques Cœur. In 1927 the museum moved into the former municipal gymnasium, and in 1932 to the Parc Saint-Paul, where an ornithological gallery had opened in 1929.

Since its reopening in 1989, it has specialised in the study of bats. It is now located at the Rives d’Auron, near the parc des expositions. Its collections comprise more than 150,000 specimens from nature, a large part of which came from donations by collectors.

The permanent route covers 2,000 m² and has four sections: the Musée de l’Homme, the living world, Cosmos destination Berry, and “À chacun sa place”, a journey around the world of more than a hundred species of taxidermied animals. Each year the museum presents three to four temporary exhibitions, including the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, as well as meetings, lectures and activities.

Highlights

• Four permanent sections on human evolution, living things, space and animal diversity
• More than a hundred species of taxidermied animals, including an elephant, parrots and cheetahs
• Speciality in bats and the permanent exhibition “Planète chauve-souris”
• Annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition
• Collection pieces, skeletons and live animals

Permanent exhibitions

• Musée de l’Homme – Route on the evolution of hominids, flint knapping, mastery of fire and how the human body works.
• Univers du vivant – Classification of living things with collection pieces, skeletons and live animals.
• Cosmos destination Berry – A journey from the universe to Earth, its major stages and today's landscapes of the Berry.

Operated by

Ville de Bourges

Visitors per year

approx. 37,267

Admission & discounts

Free admission for children under 6 and for school groups visiting freely; other free admissions and reductions exist under certain conditions.

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 museum's exhibitions are accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

During the holidays, the museum offers activities for all ages, open access or by reservation. An education department welcomes school classes.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located at the Rives d’Auron, near the parc des expositions.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The shop at reception sells books, maps and gifts related to the museum, including a range of bat-themed items.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit