Requien Museum – Natural History Museum

Beschreibung

The natural history collections, assembled at the Hôtel de Raphaélis de Soissans in the 1940s, are now estimated to number 1.2 million specimens. Requien’s herbarium alone is estimated to contain between 150,000 and 300,000 plants. Minerals, rocks, fossils, and shells round out this historic and scientific collection, where researchers find material for their studies. Since then, acquisitions by the Calvet Foundation and the City of Avignon—supplemented by donations from individuals or organizations to either institution—have further enriched this natural history collection.

On the occasion of special exhibitions, artists and visual artists find in these collections inspiration to interpret the world in new ways.

As a sample of past biodiversity, the Requien Museum works to disseminate current knowledge. A permanent exhibition traces the geological history of the Vaucluse and its surroundings, while temporary exhibitions showcase the riches of our natural heritage to the general public and school groups: depending on the themes explored, specimens previously kept carefully in storage are now on display for all to see.

The Requien Museum houses collections spanning all fields of the natural sciences:

Geology: fossils, rocks, and minerals…
Zoology: mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians—either mounted or as skeletons—as well as insects and shells…
Botany: plants, mosses, lichens, seeds, fruits, wood…
In addition, a natural history library—founded by Esprit Requien himself—provides enthusiasts with access to accurate and diverse resources.

Thus, in Avignon, specimens ranging from several billion years old to the present day are all on display!


IH: The museum’s ground floor is accessible to visitors with limited mobility.