Muséum d'histoire naturelle et de préhistoire de Nîmes

About the museum

The Nîmes museum opened in 1895 in a former cloister built around a 17th-century chapel, which is a listed historic monument. Its collections go back to Jean-François Séguier, an 18th-century naturalist from Nîmes. A learned society has been assembling them since 1871. In terms of the richness of its holdings, it ranks sixth in France.

The museum holds around 700,000 specimens and 45,000 library volumes: about 500 mammals and 4,000 birds, 70,000 geology and paleontology samples, 1,500 ethnographic objects, 80,000 prehistoric pieces from 300 sites, and 108,000 botanical samples. Researchers and students can consult the storerooms; the library is open by appointment only.

The permanent galleries present the geology and mineralogy of southern France, including the local stones used in Roman Nîmes; prehistory from the Paleolithic to the Neolithic (with virtual reality headsets devoted to the cave bear); the ethnology of Africa and Oceania; and local and exotic zoology. The Jules Salles gallery hosts a temporary exhibition each year.

Highlights

• Geology and mineralogy collections from southern France
• Prehistory rooms with virtual reality headsets
• More than 1,000 ethnographic objects from Africa and Oceania
• 17th-century cloister and chapel, listed as a historic monument
• “Zoovengers” app for children

Permanent exhibitions

• Géologie et minéralogie du sud de la France – Rocks and minerals of the region, including the local stones used in Roman Nîmes.
• Préhistoire – From the Paleolithic to the Neolithic, with virtual reality headsets to discover a cave bear.
• Ethnologie d'Afrique et d'Océanie et zoologie – More than 1,000 ethnographic objects with a soundscape, and a gallery of local and exotic zoology with a phylogenetic tree.

Founded

1895

Operated by

Ville de Nîmes

Director

Emmanuel Passemard

Admission & discounts

Free admission: The first Sunday of every month; Museum Night, European Heritage Days, Archaeology Days, Fête de la science and other events the museum takes part in

Also free, with proof, for job seekers and recipients of social benefits, teachers preparing a project, artists, journalists, holders of Ministry of Culture or ICOM cards, and licensed tour guides. Payment in cash or by card. The ticket gives access to the permanent galleries and current temporary exhibitions.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is partially accessible: the Jules Salles gallery (ask at reception) and the geology gallery on the first floor are accessible. The prehistory rooms on the first floor (three steps) and the zoology and ethnology galleries on the second floor (no lift) are not. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

“Toti et ses amis” workshops for 3- to 7-year-olds, holiday workshops by the “P'tit naturaliste” for 7- to 12-year-olds, and a games library on Wednesdays. The “Zoovengers” app offers children a game in the zoology galleries, and virtual reality headsets show a cave bear.

Getting there & parking

The museum is about 400 meters from the Arènes.

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