Muséum d’histoire naturelle de Neuchâtel
Natural history museum in Neuchâtel with 111 dioramas of Swiss wildlife, an insect hall, geology and a plesiosaur fossil.
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About the museum
The museum’s collections go back to 1795, when General Charles-Daniel de Meuron (1748–1806) donated his natural history cabinet. In 1835 this became a proper museum in the Collège Latin under the direction of Louis Coulon (1804–1894), which, thanks to his knowledge of botany, zoology and geology, grew into one of the richest in Switzerland, especially with its bird collection.
From 1960 Archibald Quartier (1913–1996) revitalised the institution and campaigned for a move. He commissioned the architect Frédéric Gehringer to create impressive dioramas of Swiss mammals and birds, which became the museum’s trademark. In 1979 conversion work began in the large building of the former business school, and in 1981 the museum moved to its present address, Rue des Terreaux 14, after having been housed in the Collège Latin for over a century.
Christophe Dufour took over the direction in 1981 and fundamentally changed the way exhibits are presented. Today the permanent exhibition “Dioramas & Co” shows 111 windows onto nature across three floors: dioramas with native animals, a cabinet of curiosities on the art of taxidermy, an insect hall and a geology hall with fossils and minerals.
Highlights
- 111 “windows onto nature” with dioramas of Swiss wildlife
- Plesiosaur fossil “Grande Gueule”
- Insect hall and geology hall covering 4.5 billion years of Earth history
- Cabinet of curiosities on animal taxidermy
- “à l’eau” area on the biodiversity of Lake Neuchâtel
Permanent exhibition
- Dioramas & Co – 111 windows onto nature across three floors: dioramas with native mammals and birds, a cabinet of curiosities, an insect hall, a geology hall and the “à l’eau” area.
- Founded
- 1835
- Director
- Ludovic Maggioni
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 12 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 4Students, apprentices, seniors and unemployed people |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Children under 16 free |
| Seniors | CHF 4 |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 4Students and apprentices |
| Groups (10+ people) | –50% discount for groups of 10 or more |
| Residents of Neuchâtel | CHF 8Instead of CHF 12 |
| Atelier des musées guided tour – school classes from the City of Neuchâtel | CHF 75Admission not included |
| Atelier des musées guided tour – other school classes | CHF 85 |
| Atelier des musées guided tour – other groups | CHF 100 |
| Tour with museum staff | CHF 150 |
Free admission: Free admission every Wednesday
Free admission with, among others, the Euro 26 pass and ICOM card, as well as other museum cards.
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
Wheelchairs, assistance dogs and canes with rubber tips are welcome in the exhibitions. Access by vehicle for people with disabilities is possible with advance notice.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 15 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Children under 16 have free admission. For young visitors there are downloadable activity booklets (“Mission Dioramas”) on mammals and birds, as well as workshops and tours for school classes.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
The museum is a few minutes from the town centre and the railway station and can be reached by train, car and boat.
Amenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Café de la baleine with hot and cold drinks, snacks and ice cream; boutique with books, educational toys and souvenirs (Tue–Sun 10 a.m.–6 p.m.).
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
Up to 90 guests.
Auditorium with 90 seats, projector, computer, internet, Blu-ray player and sound system; enquiries at info.museum@ne.ch.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Tours and workshops are organised by the Atelier des musées (+41 32 717 79 18, atelier-des-musees.ch). Classes can also visit the museum without registration and without a guide. |
