Nature is certainly the first and greatest artist. This heritage, of great richness, but also of a certain resilience that should in no way make us forget its extreme fragility, deserves to be presented, shared and known. The Museum of Natural History in Nice allows visitors to discover the many hidden treasures of the biodiversity of this territory valued throughout the world for its landscapes, towns and villages.
Permanent collections
At the Museum of Natural History, the permanent collections take the form of a naturalist walk, that makes you explore the coastline and the mid-country and make you discover numerous treasures, some of which are discreet and add to their value. Visitors learn more about the species that live there, some of which are endemic to the area. They are also made aware of the many threats to the bright cliffs of the French Riviera, the hills and valleys of Nice.
Children and adults will be able to discover specimens of animals of these territories. Wolves, deer, boars, badgers and chamois are presented to the public. Numerous species of birds, insects, plants and mushrooms complete the collections and help raise awareness of the complexity of the fauna and flora of the Alpes-Maritimes department, while highlighting the interactions between animals and plants. The Mediterranean Sea also offers great diversity, with mollusks and fish.
Vocations and missions of the Museum
The Museum of Natural History of Nice aims to raise awareness of biodiversity and fragility of Mediterranean natural areas, and as such participates in the protection of the natural environment. The museum’s collections and archives provide valuable documentary databases for researchers, and are banks of precious genetic resources, most of which remain to be explored.
These collections and resources are classified into several categories. The Zoothèque focuses on the animal kingdom (vertebrates, invertebrates), the Phytothèque gathers resources around the plant kingdom (herbaria, seeds), the Geothèque focuses on the mineral kingdom (fossils, rocks, minerals). The Pinacothèque brings together watercolors and drawings of fish, plants, mushrooms, etc. The Pinacothèque offers casts of mushrooms made by J-B Barla, while the Library offers books and periodic reviews.
Events and exhibitions
Exhibitions are regularly held in the Museum of Natural History of Nice. Events are also organized during the European Heritage Days, the Science Festival, the Long Night of Museums and the Environment Days.
Practical information
- Visiting time: at least 1 hour
- Opening days: Every day except Monday. Closed on January 1st, Easter, May 1st, and December 25th.
- Schedule: from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Address: 60 Boulevard Risso, 06300 Nice
- Access: Streetcar (Line 1, Garibaldi stop)
Museums in Alpes-Maritimes
