Musée d’initiation à la nature, Natural history museum in Saint-Étienne Abbey, Caen, France.
The Musée d'Initiation à la Nature is a natural history museum housed in Saint-Étienne Abbey that presents local wildlife through dioramas. The displays show mammals found in the bocage landscape, birds from towns and cities, and creatures from freshwater lakes and coastal waters.
The museum was established in 1974 within Saint-Étienne Abbey and gained official recognition as a Musée de France in 2003. This designation confirmed its status as a significant cultural institution.
The garden displays regional trees and local plants that reflect the natural character of Normandy. Visitors can wander through plantings that show what grows naturally in the area.
The museum is open from Easter through November on weekdays between 14:00 and 17:30. School groups from the area receive free entry, making it an easy stop to include in a visit.
The museum loans cameras to participants in the KiViLa project, allowing them to photograph and document wildlife in their own gardens. This connects the museum experience with hands-on nature watching in people's own surroundings.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
Caen shows everywhere the marks of its past. The castle built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century still rises above the city, while the Abbey of Men and the Abbey of Women reflect the power of the Dukes of Normandy. Saint Pierre Church reaches its Gothic tower to 73 meters, and in the...
Abbey of Saint-Étienne, Caen
179 m
Church of Saint-Étienne-le-Vieux
327 m
St-Étienne de Caen
192 m
Bon Sauveur
331 m
Église Saint-Nicolas de Caen
433 m
Former courthouse of Caen
338 m
Statue of Louis XIV
433 m
Visitation de Caen
174 m
Église Saint-Ouen de Caen
401 m
Ancienne Visitation de Caen
417 m
Artothèque de Caen
161 m
Antique Dealers' Museum
403 m
Église Saint-Martin de Caen
384 m
26 rue Arcisse de Caumont
424 m
Pavillons de l'entrée de la rue Guillaume-le-Conquérant
264 m
15 rue Caponière
235 m
17 rue Caponière
215 m
Hôtel de Girard-Bureau
392 m
25 rue Saint-Martin, Caen
400 m
Hôtel Canteil de Condé
426 m
3 place Fontette, Caen
290 m
10 rue Bicoquet, Caen
375 m
FRAC Normandie Caen
371 m
Chapelle de l'ancienne Visitation de Caen
171 m
Chapelle du Bon Sauveur
348 m
Statue of Léonce Élie de Beaumont in Caen
449 m
Pipe organ in Caen (Calvados, Normandy, France)
192 m
Duke of Berry obelisk
230 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes