This beautiful museum houses a wide variety of collections that are well worth a visit. If you're passing through the city of Nantes, we recommend a visit. A true voyage into the genius of life!
Here are some useful tips for planning your visit to the Natural History Museum in Nantes.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is a visit to the Nantes Natural History Museum worthwhile?
Absolutely, the museum is well worth a visit.
It's one of the most beautiful and important natural history museums in France! The richness of its collections will leave you breathless. The site also organizes 2 temporary exhibitions each year, offering a new perspective on the theme of life and scientific discoveries. What's more, you'll be able to admire the superb architecture that the main façade reveals as soon as you enter. It's one of the best museums in Nantes! Read our article on the subject here.
Opt for the Nantes city pass, which will give you access not only to the museum but also to the city's other museums and all its public transport! Find out what there is to do in Nantes here!
What you can see
A lush, colorful entrance
As soon as you arrive, you'll plunge into the museum's surprising world as you walk through a lush vegetable garden. Facing the magnificent entrance, you can admire the beauty of the building, highlighted by a huge frieze in exotic colors. We loved the view!
The Life and Earth Sciences Gallery
In the earth sciences gallery, you can browse through an abundant collection of stones. Precious, semi-precious, volcanic and unusual. There's something for everyone!
The universe gallery
Go deeper into the museum and enter the Gallery of the Universe. The secrets of the stars will be revealed to you. Stroll among the stars and celestial colors!
A temporary exhibition on the first floor
The first floor regularly hosts a temporary exhibition that provides new perspectives on some aspect of the natural sciences. We were lucky enough to see Océan Insolite, an immersion into the depths of the sea!
A large vivarium
The vivarium is an amazing place! Curiosity buffs? It's made for you! You'll come face-to-face with some superb snakes and learn all about their lifestyle and habitat.
A temporary exhibition upstairs
Go upstairs and discover the museum's other temporary exhibition. Often dedicated to explorers, it recalls the great expeditions undertaken from Nantes, a city with a prestigious port history!
Ancient animal skeletons
Venture into the zoology gallery, and you'll come face to face with gigantic skeletons. The bones of dinosaurs and prehistoric animals will transport you to the Earth of the first ages. We were impressed!
Strange specimens
The gallery is also home to some particularly well-preserved birds and mammals. From feathers to fur and even scales, you'll travel through the variety of animal species.
Old fossils
Ageless fossils hide behind glass boxes. Let your imagination run wild and try to guess what these curious specimens, immortalized by time, were!
An astonishing collection of woods
The tour concludes with a staircase full of surprises. On the way down, you'll discover over a hundred species of wood. Enjoy this unique cameo of ochre and yellow!
Nantes Natural History Museum: access
Where is the museum?
- In downtown Nantes
- Near the media library
- Railway station = 30min walk
Access by car and parking
The museum has no parking facilities. You can, however, try to park in the adjacent streets or near Place Paul Emile Ladmirault.
As traffic in downtown Nantes is difficult, we recommend you take advantage of public transport, which is highly developed and very practical! If you're coming by car, park outside town.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars - one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a fairly compact car (many villages have narrowed the road).
- Think aboutfull insurance (parking in big cities is really tight).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Public transport access
The Natural History Museum is accessible by public transport. Take bus lines 23, C1 or C3 and stop at Copernic station. Tramway 1 (Médiathèque stop) also goes there.
Get a bargain and take the Nantes city pass. It also gives you access to the city's museums, including the museum!
Access on organized tours
Many tours are organized to visit this attractive city, some of which include a visit to the museum:
- Discover the secrets of Nantes ona self-guided walking tour.
- Explore the city through an exploration game and a guided tour thanks to an interactive application.
- Or why not opt for a tailor-made tour led by a local? The best way to discover an unfamiliar city!
Visiting difficulties
Access to the museum presents no particular difficulties.
The museum is accessible to people with reduced mobility. An inclined ramp provides access to the building, and an elevator to the various rooms. Admission for the disabled is free. A manual wheelchair can be provided. Please note that the toilets are not fully accessible.
Tips for visiting the Natural History Museum
Schedules and prices
The museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm, except Tuesdays. It's free on the 1st Sunday of every month, except July and August.
- Full price: €5
- Reduced rate: €2
See the latest news on the official website here.
How long
Allow 1 to 2 hours to visit the museum.
Best moment
Nantes is a very attractive and often crowded city. Summer is particularly hot. The city's museums, including the Museum, attract many enthusiasts. Choose to come in the morning if you're visiting during the summer season. You can enjoy a more exclusive tour.
Direction of visit
There's no set order for visiting the museum, but we recommend you start on the first floor with the earth sciences gallery, the universe gallery and then discover the temporary exhibition. After a thrilling visit to the vivarium, head upstairs and explore the corridors of history in the other temporary exhibition. Then discover the great zoology gallery. Finally, admire the collection of wood species.
Visiting with children
Visiting a natural history museum is always an experience for children. The museum offers a wide range of activities for young visitors, including workshops for toddlers, events for teenagers and themed tours. Visit the museum's website for more details here.
The museum also organizes fun investigations. We were intrigued by these colorful books, which can spice up your visit if you like!
Eating out
Located in the heart of the city, the museum is surrounded by numerous restaurants. Discover our selection of the best restaurants in Nantes here!
Hotels
You're right in the center of Nantes, a city full of pleasant and famous hotels! See our recommendations.
WHERE TO STAY IN Nantes
Downtown
Would you like to sleep in the heart of Nantes and enjoy its invigorating vitality? We liked it:
- Blu Radisson Hotel - see our article - see photos prices and availability
- L'Oceania - hotel de France - see our article - see photos prices and availability
Near the station
A train to catch at dawn, there's a truly magical address just 2 steps from Nantes train station:
- Le Sozo Hotel - see our article - see photos, prices and availability
On the banks of the Erdre
Looking for a bit of peace and quiet, without straying too far from the city of Nantes? 2 addresses on the banks of the Erdre river:
- La Rivière House - see photos, prices and availability
- Le Best Western Plus Hôtel de la Régate - view photos, prices and availability
PLAN YOUR STAY IN Nantes
Itineraries
Visits
HE MADE THE TRIP Manu
