Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Grenoble came into being in 1772 when Grenoblais notables, including Dr. Henri Gagnon, launched an subscription to acquire the library of Monseigneur Jean de Caulet. In 1773, a public library was created in the former Jesuit College (now Stendhal High School). Two years later, in 1775, a Cabinet d'histoire naturel was annexed to it, thanks to the initiative of Dr. Gagnon and Father Étienne Ducros, the first guard of the cabinet. The initial collections come from donations, such as those of Christophe Pajot de Marcheval, Intendant du Dauphiné, or the cabinet of curiosities of the Abbey of Saint-Antoine.

In 1845, Mayor Frédéric Taulier proposed the construction of a new building to house the growing collections. Inaugurated in 1855 in the Garden of Plants, the museum then took the name Muséum. The building, designed by architect Paul Benoît Barillon, includes a stone colonnade of the Échaillon and a room decorated with woodwork. In 1871, sixteen medallions representing scientists, carved by Charles Aimé Irvoy, were added. The garden also houses an artificial river with the first cast concrete work in the world, by Joseph and Louis Vicat in 1855.

The Museum underwent a major renovation between 1986 and 1989, modernizing its exhibition rooms while maintaining its historic woodwork. A naturalized elephant, Eulalie, acquired in 1878, became the emblem of the museum. In 1988, a new administrative building and an orangery for temporary exhibitions were inaugurated. Today, the Museum presents rich collections of 1.5 million specimens, covering botany, zoology, geology and ethnology, with an annual attendance of about 80,000 visitors.

The facades and roofs of the Museum, on the edge of the Plant Garden, have been listed as historical monuments since January 24, 1944. The museum remains a key place for the diffusion of natural sciences, with permanent exhibitions such as Living Mountain (Alpine Fauna) or Crystal Symphony (mineralogy). A public scientific library, rich in a heritage fund, complements its resources.

Among the notable conservatives were Étienne Ducros (1775-1807), Jacques-Joseph Champollion-Figeac (brother of Jean-François Champollion), and Albin Crépu, who acquired the herbarium of Dominique Villars. Since 2019, Rebecca Bilon has led the institution, perpetuating her role in preserving and valuing the natural heritage.

The Museum is located on Dolomieu Street, close to Grenoble City Hall, and is served by public transport (tramway line C, bus). Its access is facilitated by its central location, in a historic district of the city.

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