Micropolis

Micropolis is the Cité des Insectes in Saint-Léons, a small village in the Lévézou area of Aveyron, roughly 25 km north of Millau. It's a science and education centre entirely devoted to the world of insects, built on a hillside above the village where the celebrated entomologist Jean-Henri Fabre was born.

Why was Micropolis built here?

The centre is a tribute to Jean-Henri Fabre, born in Saint-Léons in 1823 into a very modest family and later regarded as one of the greatest naturalists in history. Its creation was also driven by the popularity of the 1996 nature film "Microcosmos", which brought the miniature world of insects to a wide audience through striking close-up footage. Micropolis therefore ties together two threads: the village's connection to Fabre and a broader modern fascination with the insect world.

What does the building look like?

The architecture, designed by Bruno Decaris, follows the natural slope of the land and is composed of a series of cube-shaped volumes that settle into the surrounding Lévézou hills rather than dominating them. The main structure has a 500 m² stone facade and a striking feature: a huge stained-glass window that recreates, through sequences of colour, how insects perceive their visual world. The roof is clad in copper arranged to resemble a shell made up of 104 flower shapes. Visitors enter through a narrow "crevice" in the building, a deliberate design choice meant to shift their sense of scale from human-sized to insect-sized as they step inside.

What is there to see inside?

The interior covers around 2,400 m² and is organised into more than a dozen themed rooms. Several dozen species of live insects from around the world are kept and displayed here. Highlights include a tropical greenhouse where butterflies fly freely around visitors, dedicated displays that let you watch ants and bees going about their business, and interactive stations explaining insect biology and behaviour in a way that works well for families with children.

Is there anything to see outdoors?

Around the building, an outdoor trail nicknamed the "carnival of insects" links eleven stations, each featuring oversized sculptures of different insects. It's a good way to stretch your legs after the indoor exhibitions and to see, at giant scale, body details that are normally invisible to the naked eye.

Should you also visit Fabre's birthplace?

Yes — a path with steps leads directly from the Micropolis grounds down to the house where Fabre was born, in the heart of Saint-Léons village. It's an 18th-century rural building that has been arranged to recreate the living conditions the young naturalist grew up in. Pairing the insect museum with the authentic birthplace of the man who inspired it adds a personal, biographical layer to the visit.

Who is Micropolis best suited for?

The site is designed primarily with families and school groups in mind, but it also works well as a stop for adults touring Aveyron with an interest in nature, architecture or the history of science. Between the live exhibits, the butterfly greenhouse and the outdoor trail, a visit typically takes between two and three hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is Micropolis located? In Saint-Léons, in the Lévézou area of the Aveyron department, about 25 km north of Millau.

Who is the museum dedicated to? Entomologist Jean-Henri Fabre, who was born in Saint-Léons, and more broadly to the insects whose biology and behaviour he studied throughout his life.

What is the main indoor attraction? A tropical greenhouse with live butterflies, alongside displays on ants, bees and other insects spread across more than a dozen themed rooms.

Can you combine a visit with Fabre's birthplace? Yes, the house where Fabre was born stands in Saint-Léons village and is reachable on foot directly from the Micropolis grounds.