Muséum départemental du Var

Natural history museum of the Var in Toulon, closed for extension and renovation until the end of 2028; the Jardin du Las remains open and activities take place off site.

Temporarily closed Wheelchair accessible

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Muséum départemental du VarTemporarily closed

Website

Temporarily closed (expected until 2028). The museum is closed from November 2025 to the end of 2028 for extension and renovation works. The Jardin départemental du Las remains open every day, except in bad weather, and activities are organised outside the museum.

About the museum

The Toulon museum dates back to the 1880s. Designed by the architect Gaudensi Allar, it was inaugurated on April 29, 1888 and initially shared its premises in the city centre with the art museum and the central library. Léon Pourcel, its first curator, founded the Société d’histoire naturelle de Toulon in 1909, which supported the collections for many years. Jean-Pierre Risterucci, curator from 1966 to 2001, built up an important collection of shells of the genus Conus.

The museum became a departmental institution in 2003, and its collections were transferred to the Conseil général du Var in 2012. It reopened in the Jardin du Las on June 21, 2011, with a 500 m² exhibition space presenting nearly 1,000 natural history objects and specimens; visitor numbers rose immediately.

The collections cover botany, entomology, malacology, mineralogy, osteology, palaeontology, zoology, fine arts and archaeology. The museum has been closed since November 2025 for extension and renovation works until the end of 2028; in the meantime its teams offer activities outside the museum.

Highlights

Natural history collections displayed at the Jardin départemental du Las
Conus shell collection of Jean-Pierre Risterucci
Donations in palaeontology, zoology and entomology
Jardin du Las, open every day
Activities outside the museum during the works

Founded: 1888
Operated by: Département du Var

Admission & discounts

The museum is closed from November 2025 to the end of 2028 for works; the Jardin du Las remains open.

Accessibility

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 states that the garden and the building are accessible to people with reduced mobility. Dogs are not admitted, except guide dogs for the blind.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

Family tours & workshops
Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

On the programme: storytelling walks for 5–8-year-olds, sensory games for 3–5-year-olds, and workshops. Children stay accompanied by a parent. An educational kit is offered to groups.

Getting there & parking

By public transit

Muséum · 100 m

Bus 36B (towards Sainte-Roseline), stop Muséum; bus 6 (towards Ripelle), stop Octroi; bus 3 (towards 4 Chemins des Routes), stop Pont des Routes. From Toulon SNCF station, take bus 3, or buses 36B and 6 from Place de la Liberté.

By car

Parking available

Parking near the museum and along Avenue Louis Blériot, near the stadium; coaches can drop visitors at the garden entrance.

The museum is about 2.5 km west of central Toulon. From Nice, take the A50, exit 15a towards Toulon-Ouest; from Marseille, the A50, exit 15 towards Le Revest and Toulon-Ouest. The museum remains accessible through the side gate on Chemin du Jonquet when the garden is closed.

Get directions

Amenities & dining

The museum is closed from November 2025 to the end of 2028 for works; the Jardin du Las remains open.

Events & venue rental

The museum is closed from November 2025 to the end of 2028 for works; the Jardin du Las remains open.

Plan your visit

Guided tours	yes
School programs	yes
Good to know	During the works, activities (workshops, meetings with researchers, shows, national events such as the Fête de la nature or the Fête de la science) take place at the Jardin du Las and at partner venues, for example in Draguignan, at the La Celle abbey or at the Maison de la Nature in Le Plan. Resources and visits are offered to groups.