Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Gaillac
19th-century natural history museum in Gaillac, a cabinet of curiosities built from the collections of Dr Philadelphe Thomas: zoology, palaeontology, mineralogy and archaeology.
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About the museum
The Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Gaillac is the town's oldest museum. It came into being in the second half of the 19th century, when the town received the collections of Dr Philadelphe Thomas (1826–1912) as a bequest. The doctor devoted more than fifty years to gathering and studying his specimens.
The period display cases hold over 600 European birds, as well as eggs, nests, reptiles, mammals, insects, fish and shells from the region. Philadelphe Thomas also gathered many rocks, minerals and fossils, and took an interest in archaeology, as series of prehistoric tools show.
On the second floor, zoology presents the diversity of living things, with a few exotic species such as a Nile crocodile and a hippopotamus. On the third floor, palaeontology and mineralogy of the Tarn and Occitanie take visitors back about 550 million years, with rare pieces (Quercy phosphorites, mammoth bones) and an Egyptian mummy. The museum is the only one of its kind in the Tarn department. Its garden, largely maintained by the association Les Amis du Jardin, offers a view over the town.
Highlights
- Over 600 birds in period display cases
- Cabinet of curiosities of Dr Philadelphe Thomas
- Palaeontology and mineralogy of the Tarn and Occitanie
- Quercy phosphorites and mammoth bones
- Egyptian mummy and Nile crocodile
- Museum garden with a view over the town
Permanent exhibitions
- Zoologie : le règne du vivant – On the second floor, period display cases present birds, mammals, reptiles, insects and fish.
- Paléontologie et minéralogie – On the third floor, a route through about 550 million years, with fossils, minerals and an Egyptian mummy.
- Operated by
- Ville de Gaillac
- Visitors per year
- approx. 6,875
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2Young people aged 12 to 18, on presentation of proof |
| Children & teens | €2free up to age 11 · Reduced rate of €2 for ages 12 to 18; free for children under 12, on presentation of proof. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €2 per personGroup rate from 10 people: admission €2. For a guided tour, add €2 to the admission price. |
| Passeport 3 museums (Muséum, Musée de l'Abbaye and Musée des Beaux-arts), permanent collections | €8Reduced rate: €4 |
Free admission: Second Sunday of the month, in the three city museums, for the permanent collections
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 11 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
Children can take part in workshops and tours, for example visual arts workshops for little ones and older children; registration is through the town's events calendar.
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 | The museum offers guided tours of the whole collection, of the history of the museum and its founder, of the garden and the history of Gaillac, as well as a sensory tour and visual arts workshops. School, after-school and leisure groups should contact the heritage and museums department (05 63 81 20 26). |
