Muséum d'Histoire naturelle de La Rochelle

Over het museum

The museum opened in 1832 to house the natural history collections that Clément de Lafaille had bequeathed to the Académie de La Rochelle in 1782. This cabinet of curiosities is considered the oldest natural history cabinet in France. In 1852 the bequest of Louis-Benjamin Fleuriau de Bellevue gave rise to the Musée Fleuriau, housed in the north wing of the same building.

The mansion that houses the museum was built between 1708 and 1718. It became the residence of the governors of Aunis in 1748, received two wings in 1775, and served as the bishop’s residence from 1874 to 1903. The city bought it back in 1910, and it was listed as a historic monument in 2003.

The museum closed in 1998 for a major renovation that doubled the exhibition area to about 2,300 m². It reopened on October 27, 2007. Today the circuit combines zoology, geology, palaeontology, mineralogy, botany, archaeology and ethnography, with objects from Africa, the Americas and Oceania. The museum holds the “Musée de France” label and has a botanic garden (jardin des plantes).

Hoogtepunten

• Cabinet Lafaille, a former natural history cabinet
• Stuffed giraffe Zarafa
• Orca skeleton, Andean condor and Dodo of Mauritius
• Kavakava moai from Easter Island and a Kwélé mask
• Jonzac meteorite

Opgericht

1832

Beheerder

Ville de La Rochelle

Bezoekers per jaar

ca. 71.251 (2019)

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

Gratis toegang: First Sunday of the month (except July and August), Museum Night, European Heritage Days and the Fête de la science.

Free admission on proof also for job seekers, RSA recipients, members of ICOM and ICOMOS, teachers preparing a visit, journalists, tour guides and members of the Amis du Muséum and the Société des sciences naturelles de Charente-Maritime. Contactless card payment preferred; cash, cheques and Chèques-Vacances accepted.

Toegankelijkheid

• Rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift
• Aangepast toilet
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
• Hulphonden welkom: geen informatie
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

A lift serves all floors and spaces, including the toilets, which are marked as accessible. Two parking spaces are reserved on Rue Albert Ier and ramps are available. An induction loop at reception serves audioguides and guided tours. Braille booklets and large-print booklets with English translation are available at the entrance to each room. Folding seats can be lent to companions on request at reception.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Speurtocht, doeboekje of kinderaudiotour
• Kinderwagenvriendelijk
• Verschoonruimte

The museum received the Môm’Art charter trophy for the quality of its welcome for children. Workshops and the loan of “muséojeux” bags are temporarily suspended during works; printable activities to do at the museum or at home are offered in the meantime. Workshops during the autumn holidays are announced from age 4. All floors are accessible by lift, and a baby-changing table is in the basement toilets.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

RTCR urban coaches can stop in front of the entrance.

Service & horeca

Het museum heeft hierover geen informatie gepubliceerd.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

• Ruimtes te huur

The Jardin des plantes, the scientific library and the auditorium can be rented, with an optional guided tour.

Je bezoek plannen