Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Dijon

About the museum

The museum was founded in 1836 by the naturalist Léonard Nodot. It occupies the former arquebusiers’ barracks, an arcaded building listed as a historic monument since 1964, in the Parc de l’Arquebuse. Together with the botanical garden and the Hubert-Curien planetarium, opened in 2005, it forms the Jardin de l’Arquebuse, formerly the Jardin des sciences, run by the City of Dijon.

The botanical garden was founded in 1771 in another district of Dijon and has occupied its current site since 1833. It includes a French formal garden, an English-style arboretum crossed by the Raines stream, a rose garden of around 230 varieties, a flower meadow, beehives and insect hotels.

The renovated permanent exhibition traces the history of life and presents biodiversity. It brings together reconstructions, models, stuffed animals, fossils, casts and multimedia displays, moving from the fauna and flora of Burgundy to the scale of the whole planet. The museum welcomes around 100,000 visitors a year.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition on the history of life and biodiversity
• Fauna and flora of Burgundy, from local to global
• Fossils, stuffed animals, casts and multimedia displays
• Hubert-Curien planetarium in the same park
• Botanical garden with rose garden and arboretum

Permanent exhibition

• Exposition permanente du muséum – The renovated circuit on the diversity of life and the fragility of the environment, from the fauna and flora of Burgundy to the global scale.

Founded

1836

Operated by

Ville de Dijon

Visitors per year

approx. 126,033 (2022)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission to the museum and the botanical garden; only planetarium sessions are paid.

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

The métropole’s website mentions access for people with reduced mobility, without further details.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

The permanent exhibition combines scientific content, interactive devices and a playful approach for all audiences. The park has a children’s play area; workshops for children and themed activities are also offered.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the Parc de l’Arquebuse, with entrances on Rue Jehan de Marville and Avenue Albert-Ier.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit