Muséum de l’Ardèche: fossils and dinosaurs

Tourist attractions

Dinosaur Gallery
Exterior view
Ammonite from La Voulte
Coiron Dragonfly
Coiron Cicada
Lobster from La Voulte
Ardèche Museum
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Embark on an unusual 500-million-year journey, where over 600 original fossils tell the story of the rocks and landscapes of the Ardèche. An adventure for the very young, with extractions and a dinosaur gallery!

Within a bright and modern setting, more than 600 original fossils tell the story of the landscapes and history of the wonderful Ardèche region. The fossil collection displayed at the Museum is among the best-preserved in the world. Did you know that one of the 20 most exceptional fossil sites is located in Ardèche? Join our guides for a journey through time illuminated by the insights of natural sciences! 500 million years of history are revealed through fossils that are unique in the world for their rarity and their “beauty.” Come with your children and grandchildren! Reconstruction images and a presentation adapted to younger visitors allow you to explore the site as a family. The dinosaur gallery will delight anyone eager to touch and handle real dinosaur fossils! The geological origins of Ardèche’s terroir are presented through a dedicated visitor guide, “Les étapes savoureuses®.” The oldest Ardèche chestnut and the first grapevines await you to share all their secrets. Tastings of local products are available in our new 100% Ardèche snack bar and in our Goûtez l’Ardèche® shop.
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Family adventure ! Excavations, fossils'findings, Guided tours Coffe and Ice-cream shop : 100% from Ardèche and Drôme Discover the NHM on Tripadvisor !

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Fossil extractions 7 days a week (year-round) Fossil digs 7 days a week (year-round) Astronomy evenings 4 days a week (July/August) Local Products Shop, Educational Games Shop, Geology Shop Café and ice cream shop featuring 100% Drôme Ardèche products, with a terrace

Spoken languages

  • German
  • English
  • French

Labels and rankings

  • Famille Plus
  • "Accueil Vélo" : Cyclists Welcome label
  • Private museum
  • Eco-museum

Sort

  • Museum

Themes

  • History
  • Sciences and technology
  • Prehistoric
  • Archeological
  • Natural sciences
  • Geology

Opening

From 02/11 to 22/11/2026 from Monday to Friday between 10 am and 5 pm. Closed weekends.
Guided tours are available only for groups of more than 12 people, by reservation.

Benefits

Services provided

  • Educational visits
  • Coach access
  • Booking obligatory
  • Themed tour
  • Shop
  • Wi-fi
  • Tourist brochures
  • Tourist information
  • Guided tours
  • Leisure Center

Equipment

  • Film room
  • Parking nearby
  • Public WC
  • Bar
  • Camper van reception area
  • Exhibition space
  • Air conditioning
  • Toilets
  • Entertainments room

Booking

Prices

Adult: from 9 € Reduced price: from 7 € (Seniors, People with Disabilities) Child: from 6 € (Children ages 0–5: Free) Student: from 7 € Job seeker: from 7 € Large family: from 7 € Group adults: from 7 € (12 or more paying guests). Free entry for children under 6. Group rate available for 12 people or more.

Means of payment

  • Check
  • Bank/credit card
  • Cash
  • Travellers Cheque
  • Online payment
  • Pass’Région Jeunes

Capacity

  • Maximum group size: 60
  • Minimum group size : 12

Activities

  • Handicrafts workshops
  • Temporary exhibition
  • Entertainment evenings
  • Activity
  • Children's entertainment

Access

Environment

  • In the country

Environment

At the foot of the parking lots at the village's east entrance (access from Vogüé/Ruoms via the D579).

Tips

Guided tour of the Ardèche Museum (40 min to 1 hr)
Workshop/demonstration on the work of a paleontologist (fossil preparation)
Option to add a guided historical and archaeological tour of the village of Balazuc
Ice cream shop, gift shop, restrooms
By its very nature, the Ardèche Museum is particularly committed to the preservation and protection of ecosystems. Promoting and spreading scientific literacy, as well as raising awareness about how ecosystems function and the challenges of preserving them, is in our DNA. To this end, we conduct on-site and off-site programs throughout the year for school groups and the general public.

Furthermore, mindful of the impact of our tourism activities on the environment, we constructed entirely new buildings in 2016 that meet technical standards and take the utmost care to ensure the lowest possible carbon footprint. The air conditioning system is set to shut off automatically when the temperature drops below 28°C during the peak summer season, and the exhibition hall is naturally lit through skylights. All lighting in the exhibition consists of energy-efficient LED spotlights. Our snack and ice cream supplies are 100% sourced from the Ardèche region through short supply chains. Our fleet of service vehicles consists of electric vehicles. The Museum has held the “Accueil Vélo” certification since 2020.

Over the next few years, we plan to implement on-site green energy production and integrate access via public transportation networks. A necessary partnership with local authorities on these two issues—an area designated as having “remarkable architecture,” which currently makes it impossible to install solar panels, and the lack of public transportation in the village—has been initiated at our request, and we intend to continue this effort.
Installation of a complete Triceratops outdoors
Unveiling of new exhibits in the dinosaur gallery (3 new skulls)
The Café-Glacier will open this spring
A treasure trove of fossils from the Ardèche, with a touch of a dinosaur exhibit...
Guided tours and workshops are offered daily
so you can explore a collection that’s one of a kind. Travel through time and the Ardèche with our
science guides.
"Bike-Friendly" certification; bike racks available at the site entrance
With 600 original fossils and its new dinosaur gallery, the Muséum invites you on a 200% family visit! A visit with a guide who enthrals young and old alike, and an exploration of our dinosaur skeletons in real and virtual reality.