Natural History Museum, Dijon Travel Guide

The Dijon Natural History Museum (Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de Dijon) invites visitors to discover the wonders of the natural world within the verdant Parc de l'Arquebuse. Founded in 1836 by naturalist Léonard Nodot, the museum is located in the former pavilion of Arquebuse, once barracks for arquebusiers built around 1608. Today, it forms a scientific hub along with the Hubert Curien Planetarium and the Botanical Garden of Arquebuse, collectively known as the Jardin des Sciences.The museum's exhibits span three floors, showcasing a vast collection of specimens. The ground floor features regional geology and fossils, while the second floor explores diverse animal ecosystems, and the third is dedicated to entomology. Exhibits include fossils, minerals, preserved specimens, and interactive displays that cater to all ages. Temporary exhibitions and events are held regularly. The museum also participates in programs focusing on preservation, restoration, and digitization of its collections.Adjacent to the museum, the Jardin de l'Arquebuse offers further exploration with botanical displays, including insect hotels and domestic beehives. The garden itself covers five hectares and contains over 3,000 species of plants from Burgundy and around the world.