Muséum Henri-Lecoq
Natural history museum of Clermont-Ferrand, housed in the former town mansion of the naturalist Henri Lecoq: herbarium, fossils, rocks and instruments.
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About the museum
The Muséum Henri-Lecoq opened in 1873 in Clermont-Ferrand. The naturalist Henri Lecoq bequeathed his collections to the city, which bought his town house on Rue Bardoux to create a museum bearing his name.
The collections grew and were preserved for more than a century. They cover natural heritage (animals, plants, rocks and fossils) as well as the history of science and technology. They include more than 200,000 botanical specimens, among them a herbarium of over 150,000 sheets; a rich collection of rocks and minerals, including regional volcanic rocks; more than 300,000 zoological specimens (especially insects and shells); and scientific instruments such as a Pascaline.
For the museum’s 150th anniversary in 2023, a new palaeontology space opened. The historic building, which has been little redeveloped, can only be visited by staircase; a neighbouring garden serves for teaching and relaxation.
Highlights
- Lecoq herbarium of over 150,000 sheets
- Pascaline, calculating machine of Blaise Pascal
- Regional volcanic rocks and minerals
- New palaeontology space (2023)
- Insect and shell collections
Permanent exhibition
- Collections permanentes du muséum – Animals, plants, rocks and fossils, along with instruments from the history of science, presented in Henri Lecoq’s former town mansion, with a palaeontology space.
- Founded
- 1873
- Operated by
- Clermont Auvergne Métropole
- Visitors per year
- approx. 28,272 (2019)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3People over 60, holders of the CEZAM card, groups of at least 10 paying visitors, “tribu” ticket (2 adults and 2 young people up to and including age 18), groups guided by Clermont Auvergne Tourisme, holders of the Clermont Pass Tourisme (from the second museum visited) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Free up to and including age 18, on presentation of proof less than 6 months old. |
| Seniors | €3Reduced rate from age 60. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free for people with disabilities and one companion, on proof. |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree for students, on proof less than 6 months old. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €3 per personReduced rate for organised groups of at least 10 paying visitors; under 10 people, full price. |
| Families | €3“Tribu” ticket: 2 adults and 2 young people up to and including age 18, at the reduced rate. |
| Pass découverte (valid one year, one entry to each museum in the métropole) | €10 |
| Carte musées (valid one year, unlimited entry to the métropole’s museums) | €20 |
| Guided tour, full price (admission included) | €9 |
| Guided tour, reduced rate (reserved for those eligible for free admission) | €6 |
| Activity for young audiences (per session) | €5 |
| Adult workshop, full price (admission included) | €15 |
| Adult workshop, reduced rate (for those eligible for free admission) | €10 |
Free admission: The first Sunday of each month; free admission also during the Rendez-vous du Carnet de voyage for people with their drawing materials.
Free admission on proof of less than 6 months’ validity also for teachers, journalists, job seekers, recipients of minimum social benefits, holders of the Pass Région, the Citéjeune card or the Pass culture of the City of Clermont, ICOM members and holders of the Ministry of Culture’s Culture card.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: not available
- 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 site is not accessible to people with reduced mobility: the building is historic and not yet redeveloped, and all levels are reached only by staircase.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 18 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €3 · “Tribu” ticket: 2 adults and 2 young people up to and including age 18, at the reduced rate. |
- Family tours & workshops
The visit suits young children, teenagers and adults. Workshops for children, a discovery trail for leisure centres (ages 4–12) and “Petites histoires au muséum” for nurseries are available by reservation.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Lecoq
Tram line A, stops “Universités” or “Lagarlaye”; bus stops “Ballainvilliers”, “Sablon-Lafayette” and “Lecoq” (lines S10, S11, S12, S14, E1, E2, E4, A1, B and C).
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 | Visits, workshops and lectures all year round. Five guided tours of the collections for adult groups (about 1 hour, 10 to 30 people), by reservation. School groups by appointment. |
