Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum

At the far end of the Jardin de l'Etat, the Saint-Denis audio-guided tour leads you to the Natural History Museum. Housed in the former building of the Colonial Council and then the General Council, it is the oldest museum on the island and the first natural history museum in the Indian Ocean.

A museum born in 1855

The museum was founded in 1855 by Louis Henri Hubert Delisle, then governor of Reunion. At its creation, the place had no collection: the curators began by acquiring animal skins in South Africa, then received as gifts rare taxidermied birds from China and Malaysia. Mayor Gustave Manes himself gave about two thousand objects from mainland France, and other donations followed until the inauguration.

What there is to see

The museum presents a rich collection devoted to the past and present fauna of the Indian Ocean islands, as well as rocks and minerals. There you discover the natural history of the region and the diversity of species, in a heritage setting listed as a historic monument. It is an instructive stop, complementing the walk in the Jardin de l'Etat.

Practical information

The Natural History Museum is at the far end of the Jardin de l'Etat, on Rue Poivre, in Saint-Denis. It is usually open from Tuesday to Sunday; hours vary by season and access is sometimes free on certain days. It is best to check the information in advance before visiting.

How old is the Natural History Museum ?

Founded in 1855, it is the oldest museum on Reunion and the first natural history museum in the Indian Ocean.

What can be seen there ?

A rich collection on the fauna of the Indian Ocean islands, past and present, as well as rocks and minerals.