muséum régional des Sciences naturelles

Muséum régional des Sciences naturelles is a natural history museum in Mons, a city in the Belgian province of Hainaut, run by the municipal authorities and built around extensive zoological and osteological collections. The institution dates back to 1839, when the Mons city council voted on 28 September of that year to establish it, making it one of the older museum institutions in the region. Since then the collections have grown steadily and today comprise more than 10,000 objects.

What can visitors see at the museum?

The core of the exhibition consists of zoological collections featuring specimens from the region as well as from other parts of the world. Among the most valuable holdings is the Yernaux collection, donated to the museum in 2001, made up of several hundred preserved birds and mammals and considered one of the most significant acquisitions in the museum's history. Donations of this kind allowed the museum to develop into a large-scale documentation center for animal diversity.

A separate highlight of any visit is the skeleton of Julius Koch, a man regarded in the early 20th century as the tallest person in the world, standing 2.56 meters tall. This unusual exhibit has long drawn visitors' attention and remains one of the most recognizable pieces in the museum's osteological collection.

Where is the museum located?

The Muséum régional des Sciences naturelles is located at rue des Gaillers 7 in Mons. Its central location makes it easy to combine a visit with exploring the rest of the city, which has also been recognized as one of Europe's Capitals of Culture.

Who is the museum for?

Given the nature of its collections — large numbers of preserved animals, skeletons and osteological specimens — the museum is a popular destination for families with children and school groups, offering a hands-on complement to natural science education. At the same time, the age and richness of the collections, dating back to the 19th century, make it interesting for anyone curious about the history of natural sciences and museum practice.

Frequently asked questions

When was the museum founded? The Mons city council voted to establish the museum on 28 September 1839.

How many objects does the collection hold? The museum's collections comprise more than 10,000 objects, mainly in zoology and osteology.

What is the Yernaux collection? It is a collection of several hundred preserved birds and mammals, donated to the museum in 2001 — one of the most significant donations in its history.

What is the skeleton of Julius Koch? It is the skeleton of a man regarded in the early 20th century as the tallest person in the world, standing 2.56 meters — one of the museum's most distinctive exhibits.

Where exactly is the museum located? It is located at rue des Gaillers 7 in Mons, Belgium.

Is the museum suitable for children? Yes, thanks to its accessible, visually engaging zoological displays, the museum is a popular destination for school trips and family visits.