Musee d'Histoire Naturelle de Lille
About
Situated in the heart of Lille at 23 Rue Gosselet, the Musée d'Histoire Naturelle traces the city's scientific heritage back to its 1822 founding. Housed in a graceful 19th‑century building constructed for the city’s university, the museum showcases four major collections – Zoology, Geology, Ethnography, and Sciences & Techniques – with two of these on display in a permanent exhibition. Visitors can journey through a gallery of dinosaurs, a vast insectarium, and a star‑lit skylab of rock strata, all while learning about the evolution of natural science in northern France. Although the museum is currently closed for renovation until October 2024, guests can still explore its collection virtually through an engaging online tour and stay up to date with the latest programmes on its website.
Highlights
- Historic Zoology Collection
- Geology Gallery
- Virtual Museum Tour
Must-See Areas
Good to Know
Good for
Best time to visit
Spring and early autumn, when Lille’s museums welcome visitors in pleasant weather and smaller crowds
At a glance
- Typical visit: about 3 hours