Initial construction 1760 (≈ 1760)
Building erected as courthouse.
1876
Reconversion to museum
Reconversion to museum 1876 (≈ 1876)
Former palace becomes museum of natural history.
1944
Partial destruction
Partial destruction 1944 (≈ 1944)
Bombardments destroyed the south wing during the war.
1948-1963
Successive classifications
Successive classifications 1948-1963 (≈ 1956)
Protection as a three-step historical monument.
1973
Postwar reopening
Postwar reopening 1973 (≈ 1973)
Museum reopens after partial restoration.
2007
Re-opening after construction
Re-opening after construction 2007 (≈ 2007)
Modernisation and new inauguration.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Forged iron ramp of the interior staircase: classification by decree of 4 November 1948; Façade on the Place du Marché : classification by decree of 21 December 1949; Escalier d'honneur with his cage (box HD 7): classification by order of 26 February 1963
Key figures
Charles Alexandre Lesueur - Naturalist and Director
Founded the initial collections of the museum.
Auguste Perret - Urbanist architect
Proposed his demolition in his plan.
Origin and history
The natural history museum of Le Havre has its origins in the collections of Charles Alexandre Lesueur (1778-1846), naturalist and first director of the institution. His fonds, rich in specimens of zoology, paleontology and prehistory, as well as 8,000 drawings and manuscripts, were severely damaged during the 1944 bombings during the Second World War. The building, dating back to 1760, was originally a courthouse before being converted into a museum in 1876.
The southern wing of the museum was destroyed in 1944 and never rebuilt. Despite the demolition projects envisaged by Auguste Perret in his plan for the reconstruction of Le Havre, the building was protected by several classification orders (1948, 1949, 1963), preserving its façade, its honorary staircase and its wrought iron ramp. After work, it reopened in 1973 and then in 2007, attracting approximately 120,000 visitors between 2010 and 2012.
The museum occupies a classical stone architecture building with a central body with a monumental staircase and a carved triangular pediment. His collections, partially exhibited in the former nearby Jean Macé school, remain a testimony of the 19th century natural sciences. Admission is free for children under 26 and on the first Saturday of the month, with hours adapted to the public.
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