Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Orléans Museum was founded in 1823, relying from its beginning on contributions from local naturalists to enrich its collections. This first museum, ancestor of the MOBE, reflected the 19th-century enthusiasm for natural sciences and the preservation of regional specimens, while serving as a place for study and dissemination of knowledge.

In 1966, the institution was transferred to a new building, marking a key step in its evolution. This move has improved conservation and exposure conditions, while preparing the ground for future projects, such as the major renovation launched in 1989.

The six-year renovation project led to the reopening of the Museum in May 2021 under the name Muséum d'Orléans for Biodiversity and Environment (MOBE). The museum now exhibits 1,200 specimens on five levels from a total of 435,000 samples. Its modern approach combines scientific collections, digital tools, workshops and conferences to make naturalistic culture accessible.

Labeled Musée de France, the MOBE is distinguished by its pedagogical dynamism: interactive manipulations, audiovisual performances, digital games and models alongside traditional formats. The official address, 2 rue Marcel Proust in Orléans (Loiret), makes it a central place for the dissemination of environmental knowledge in the Centre-Val de Loire region.

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