Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Nice

The Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Nice is a natural history museum in the city on the French Riviera housing vast collections from the Mediterranean region, South America, Africa, and islands in the Indian Ocean. The institution manages more than one million specimens of various animal species and minerals in total.

The museum was founded in 1846 and was the first public museum institution in the city, representing an important turning point in local scientific education. This establishment enabled Nice to develop its natural science collections and research.

The museum displays wildlife from the Alps and French Riviera, featuring local mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects found across the region. Visitors can see how these animals adapt to their natural habitats and interact with the environment.

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and sits at an easily accessible location in the city center. Visitors should expect to spend two to three hours exploring the permanent exhibition thoroughly.

The museum houses one of Europe's largest collections of preserved animal and plant specimens from the Mediterranean region. This collection documents the biological diversity of one of the oldest and most important regions for scientific natural observation.

Location: Nice

Inception: 1846

Accessibility: Wheelchair inaccessible

Operator: Ville de Nice

Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-18:00

Phone: +33497134680

Email: museum.histoire-naturelle@ville-nice.fr

Website: http://mhnnice.org

GPS coordinates: 43.70195,7.27971

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:22