Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Natural History Museum Philadelphe Thomas was created in the second half of the 19th century from the personal collections of Dr Thomas. This museum offers a classical approach to natural sciences, covering various fields such as zoology, paleontology, geology, botany and prehistory. The rich and diverse collections reflect the scientific interest of the time in the systematic study of the natural world.

In 1999, the ground floor rooms were completely renovated to accommodate temporary exhibitions and educational activities. This first modernization project was followed by a second in progress, supervised by a commission of the Ministry of National Education. The objective is to restructure and develop the entire site, including its garden, while valuing the strong elements identified during the first renovation. In-depth work is also being done on reserves, including inventorying and preserving unexposed collections.

The museum houses remarkable collections, including over 10,000 eggs, 10,000 insects, thousands of molluscs, minerals, fossils and prehistoric tools. Some of these collections are organized according to a regional selection, highlighting the local natural heritage. The herbariums, with 4,000 boards, can be consulted by appointment, illustrating the importance attached to botany. The museum, labeled Musée de France, remains a reference point for the dissemination of scientific knowledge in Occitanie.

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