Musée d'Histoire Naturelle de Lille, Lille

Lille Natural History Museum (Musée d'Histoire Naturelle de Lille) is located in the historic University district on Bruxelles Street. The museum's roots trace back to the early 19th century when it began with collections from several smaller museums including the Zoological Museum, the Gosselet Museum of Geology and Mineralogy, the Coal Museum, the Industrial and Commercial Museum, and the Moillet Museum of Ethnography.

The museum's formation was spearheaded by the Society of Sciences, Agriculture, and Arts of Lille, a learned society established in 1802. This society initially gathered a vast collection of insects, a notable stuffed royal tiger, and other scientific marvels that captivated the local population. Originally housed on Flowers Street (Rue des Fleurs), the museum later moved to its current location on Bruxelles Street, officially installing its natural history collections there in 1911.

Despite disruptions from the two world wars, the museum has continually expanded its holdings through acquisitions, donations, and attributions, cultivating a rich and diverse array of collections. Today, the museum features four main thematic areas: naturalistic, geological, ethnographic, and industrial objects, reflecting a broad spectrum of natural history and human endeavor.

Lille Natural History Museum highlights the wide range and vulnerability of Earth’s wildlife and geological specimens, from the whale skeletons suspended from the ceiling to the stuffed polar bear displayed in the mammal section. This century-old institution not only houses a permanent collection but also offers changing exhibits and organizes events and workshops designed for children. The Natural History Museum serves as a vital repository of knowledge and heritage, making it a significant cultural and educational resource in the region.