Dinosauria
Dinosaur museum in Espéraza in the Aude department, with skeletons, life-size reconstructions, an animated T. rex and a paleontology laboratory.
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Over het museum
The museum grew out of a scientific discovery. In the early 1980s, paleontologists Éric Buffetaut and Jean Le Loeuff of the Université Paris VI began excavating one of France's richest fossil sites a few kilometres from Espéraza. Since then, thousands of bones have been recovered and several new species described, including the titanosaur Ampelosaurus atacis in 1995.
The museum opened in June 1992 and is run by the association Dinosauria, which is dedicated to paleontological research and to showcasing this heritage. Its collections comprise several tens of thousands of specimens of fish, turtles, crocodiles, dinosaurs and birds, and are open to researchers from around the world.
The trail covers about 3,000 m². The Evolution Gallery tells the story of life long before the dinosaurs, while the halls present dinosaurs from around the world and then those from the Aude, with life-size reconstructions. A Cretaceous greenhouse recreates the vegetation of 72 million years ago, and the laboratory is visible from this space. Since 2010, a large animated Tyrannosaurus rex, donated by the Cavin family, has had its own 300 m² space.
The association earns almost all its income from admissions, the shop and memberships, which fund its research.
Hoogtepunten
- Ampelosaurus atacis, a titanosaur discovered in the Aude, shown as an animated reconstruction
- Life-size animated Tyrannosaurus rex in a 300 m² space
- Evolution Gallery and Cretaceous greenhouse
- Paleontology laboratory visible from the greenhouse
- Dino-Récré, play and activity area for children
Vaste collectie
- Tyrannosaurus et les mondes perdus – A 300 m² space devoted to the life of T. rex, from the discovery of its first bones to its fame, with a life-size animatronic.
- Halle aux dinosaures de l'Aude – Animated reconstruction of Ampelosaurus atacis and history of the regional discoveries, with a Cretaceous diorama.
- Halle aux dinosaures du monde – Herd of dinosaurs from every continent, including a 22-metre Mamenchisaurus and a Quetzalcoatlus.
- Opgericht
- 1992
- Beheerder
- Association Dinosauria
- Bezoekers per jaar
- ca. 37.560
Toegangsprijzen & kortingen
| Volwassenen | € 11 |
|---|---|
| Met korting | € 8,50Adults with disabilities, job seekers, students |
| Kinderen & jongeren | € 8,50gratis t/m 4 jaar · Child rate for ages 5 to 12; free under 5; child with a disability: €7.50. |
| Mensen met een beperking | € 8,50Adult with a disability: €8.50; child with a disability: €7.50. |
| Studenten | € 8,50 |
| Groepen (vanaf 10 pers.) | € 8,70 p.p.Groups of at least 10 people for free visits. Guided tour for groups of 15 or more: €9.70 per person, by reservation. |
| Gezinnen | € 35Family package for 2 adults and 2 children aged 5 to 12. |
| Footprint casting workshop (Zone C) | € 6During school holidays in Zone C, no reservation required. |
| Paleontological dig workshop (Zone C) | € 4During school holidays in Zone C, no reservation required. |
| Dino puppet workshop (Zone C) | € 4During school holidays in Zone C, no reservation required. |
| Visit to the excavation site, adult (summer holidays) | € 6Registration required; child aged 5 to 12: €4. |
| Private visit to the laboratory (summer holidays) | € 20From age 10, reservation required. |
The ticket is valid all day, with free exit and re-entry. The Pass Culture and ANCV holiday vouchers (paper and connect) are accepted. Online booking is possible, or buy at the reception desk.
Toegankelijkheid
- Rolstoeltoegankelijk
- Lift: geen informatie
- Aangepast toilet: geen informatie
- Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats: geen informatie
- Hulphonden welkom: geen informatie
- Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
- Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
- Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
- Audiodescriptie: geen informatie
The museum states that it is wheelchair-accessible. Dogs are welcome if they are calm and kept on a leash.
Kinderen & gezin
Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen
| Toegang kinderen | gratis t/m 4 jaar |
|---|---|
| Gezinsticket | € 35 · Family package for 2 adults and 2 children aged 5 to 12. |
- Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
- Speurtocht, doeboekje of kinderaudiotour
- Doe- en voelstations
- Speeltuin / speelhoek
- Kinderfeestjes
During the school holidays in Zone C, 45-minute workshops are offered in French: dino puppets (ages 3 to 5), paleontological digs (ages 7 to 12) and footprint casting (ages 5 to 12). The Dino-Récré area invites children to play, draw and learn. Birthday parties can be held from age 6, with at least 5 children, by reservation and outside school holidays: €10.50 per child, three accompanying adults free.
Bereikbaarheid & parkeren
Met het openbaar vervoer
Arrêt de bus devant le musée
A bus stop is located right in front of the museum (line 402). The Carcassonne–Axat railway line also serves Espéraza.
Met de auto
Gratis parkeren
Free parking.
Service & horeca
- Restaurant: niet aanwezig
- Museumwinkel
Museum shop. A picnic area is located right in front of the museum, and several restaurants are in the village.
Evenementen & zaalverhuur
Het museum heeft hierover geen informatie gepubliceerd.
Je bezoek plannen
| Rondleidingen | ja · duur ca. 1,5 uur |
|---|---|
| Aanbod voor scholen | ja |
| Goed om te weten | During the summer holidays, guided tours in French are included in the ticket; the rest of the year they are reserved for groups by appointment. In July and August, visits to the excavation site (weather permitting) and to the laboratory with the collections (about 2 hours 30 minutes, by reservation) are also offered. A museum map is available to download in French, English and Spanish. |
