Natural History Displays

Overview

Nestled at the symbolic confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers in Lyon, France, the Musée des Confluences stands as a spectacular testament to both audacious architecture and profound human inquiry. More than just a museum, it is a science centre and anthropology museum, renowned for its extensive natural history displays that delve into the origins of life and humanity's place within the living world. Its striking deconstructivist design, often described as a 'floating crystal cloud' of stainless steel and glass, immediately captures the eye, hinting at the extraordinary journey of discovery within. The museum houses a staggering collection of over 2.2 million artifacts and specimens, encompassing natural science, Earth sciences, and human anthropology.

The permanent exhibition, spanning over 3,000 square meters, is thoughtfully organized into four distinct narratives: 'Origins – Stories of the World,' 'Species – The Web of Life,' 'Societies – Human Theatre,' and 'Eternities – Visions of the Beyond.' The natural history displays are most prominently featured within the 'Origins' and 'Species' exhibitions, inviting visitors to embark on an epic exploration from the Big Bang to the intricate web of biodiversity today.

History & Cultural Background

The Musée des Confluences opened its doors on December 20, 2014, but its collections boast a much richer, centuries-old history. It proudly carries the legacy of Lyon's former natural history museum, the Muséum d'histoire naturelle – Guimet, inheriting millions of pieces, some dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. This lineage allows the museum to present a continuous narrative, illustrating how our understanding of the natural world has evolved over time. The very concept of the museum, situated at the geographical 'confluence' of two rivers, is a powerful metaphor for its mission: to converge different scientific and cultural perspectives to foster a deeper understanding of our world. The museum's ambitious project aims to transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries, weaving together insights from paleontology, mineralogy, zoology, entomology, and ethnography to address universal questions about life's origins and human existence.

What Makes It Special

What truly sets the natural history displays at the Musée des Confluences apart is their unique interdisciplinary approach. Rather than merely showcasing specimens, the museum integrates natural sciences with human sciences, mythology, and religious perspectives to explore the profound questions of existence. This holistic view is particularly evident in 'Origins – Stories of the World,' which transports visitors through billions of years, from the formation of the universe to the emergence of life and the evolution of humankind. Highlights include impressive dinosaur skeletons and the historically significant Choulans mammoth, discovered right in Lyon.

The 'Species – The Web of Life' exhibition meticulously examines humanity's place within the vast tapestry of animal species and the significant impact humans have had on biodiversity. Visitors can marvel at a vast and diverse collection that includes not only living species but also rare and poignant specimens of extinct animals, such as the thylacine, quagga, and dodo. The sheer scale and variety of the collections, totaling over 2 million artifacts, ensures a rich and thought-provoking experience, inviting contemplation on the interconnectedness of all life forms.

Stories, Fun Facts & Local Details

Among the many fascinating exhibits, the Choulans mammoth holds a special place in Lyon's local history, having been discovered in 1859 on the Montée de Choulans. This magnificent fossil serves as a tangible link to a prehistoric Lyon, when Alpine glaciers still shaped the region. The museum's vertebrate collection is remarkably extensive, featuring stuffed animals, skeletons, and even fluid-preserved specimens harking back to 17th-century cabinets of curiosities. Bird enthusiasts will be particularly delighted, as the museum boasts over 28,000 avian specimens, making it the largest French collection outside of the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris.

A more unusual, yet equally compelling, aspect of the natural history collection is the museum's almost 2,500 animal mummies, reputedly one of the largest such collections globally outside of Egypt. These ancient artifacts offer a unique window into past cultures and their relationship with the animal kingdom. Beyond the specimens themselves, the museum also displays historical scientific instruments, like a Huygens simple microscope from the 17th century, illustrating humanity's ongoing quest to observe and understand the natural world. Even the museum's construction, though a modern marvel, has its own 'story' of a complex and lengthy development, reflecting the ambitious nature of its mission.

Visitor Perspective

Stepping into the Musée des Confluences is an experience designed to ignite curiosity and wonder in visitors of all ages. The natural history displays, with their immersive scenography, invite you on a profound journey through time and across continents, encouraging a deeper understanding of our planet and humanity's journey. It truly functions as a '21st-century Cabinet of Curiosities,' where every turn reveals a new marvel, from ancient fossils to intricate biological specimens. The exhibitions are crafted to be engaging and accessible, making complex scientific concepts understandable and exciting. Families, especially those with children, will find the displays of dinosaurs and the Choulans mammoth particularly captivating, sparking young imaginations about the ancient past. Unlike many museums, the Musée des Confluences often allows photography and, in some instances, even encourages touching certain objects, fostering a more interactive and memorable visitor experience. It's an essential cultural landmark in Lyon, offering a unique blend of scientific exploration and cultural narrative.