Musée de minéralogie

The Museum of Mineralogy in Strasbourg is housed within the Institute of Earth Sciences and displays thousands of mineral specimens arranged in two main halls. The collection is organized by chemical classification and includes both internationally sourced materials and specimens from the surrounding region.

The museum was founded in 1890 at the Institute of Earth Sciences, growing from a Natural History Cabinet assembled by a local physician. This transformation from private medical collection to public scientific institution shaped the museum's character and mission.

The collection highlights minerals from the Rhine region and reflects how local geological heritage has been preserved through scientific study. Visitors can see how regional mining traditions connect to the specimens displayed and understand the area's mineral diversity.

Access is available on Wednesday afternoons, though it is worth checking beforehand if additional visits can be arranged during school holidays. The museum is located on the institute's grounds and is accessible on foot from Strasbourg's city center.

The collection includes one of the largest fluorite specimens found in the Black Forest alongside rare arsenate minerals from Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines. These two highlights reveal the geological richness of the nearby mining regions and their exceptional mineral wealth.