Creation of the museum 1959 (≈ 1959)
Installation in Vauban citadel.
1962
Creation of the zoological garden
Creation of the zoological garden 1962 (≈ 1962)
Area of 2.5 hectares created.
1975
Opening of the aquarium
Opening of the aquarium 1975 (≈ 1975)
350 m2 interior, 500 m2 exterior.
1996
Renovation and creation of the noctarium
Renovation and creation of the noctarium 1996 (≈ 1996)
250 m2 dedicated to nocturnal species.
2002
Creation of climate
Creation of climate 2002 (≈ 2002)
Open space of 300 m2.
2004
Total renovation of zoological garden
Total renovation of zoological garden 2004 (≈ 2004)
Complete modernization of the park.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Information non disponible - No key character mentioned
The source text does not mention any names.
Origin and history
The Besançon Museum of Natural History finds its origins in a university museum. Since 1959, it has been located in the Vauban citadel, acquired by the city after the Second World War. This UNESCO World Heritage site houses a unique set in France, combining zoological park, insectarium, aquarium, noctarium and naturalium. Its main missions include conservation, scientific study and pedagogy, with collections regularly enriched by deposits from the University of Franche-Comté.
The museum is distinguished by its joint presentation of living and naturalized species, ranging from insects to large mammals such as tigers. Its evolutionary path marks key steps: creation in 1959, partial renovations in 1996 (300 m2), and successive developments such as the aquarium (1975, renovated in 1995), the noctarium (1996, 250 m2) and the climatorium (2002, 300 m2). The zoological garden, created in 1962 and completely renovated in 2004, covers 2.5 hectares, illustrating the museum's commitment to biodiversity.
The aquarium, with its interior (350 m2) and exterior (500 m2) spaces, and the insectarium complete this scientific and tourist offer. The museum benefits from the label Musée de France and highlights the fortifications of Vauban, while offering a permanent exhibition dedicated to biodiversity. Its official address, 2 rue Mégevand, confirms its anchoring in the Doubs department, in the heart of the Burgundy-Franche-Comté region.
