MAJOR EXHIBITION

October 17, 2025 – July 5, 2026

For over 10,000 years, human communities have been domesticating the species they find useful, from dogs and horses to cereals and other crops.

Everyone knows and uses the word domestication, but what does it really mean? Exploring domestication means delving into a long and complex history during which plants and animals have been profoundly modified to adapt to our needs.

EXHIBITION

June 14 – October 12, 2025

In the Paleolithic era, in a “valley that continues to resist change”, a cast of quirky characters is curiously infused with contemporary references.

Created in 2009, the comic series Silex and the City has become a must-see. Through a cast of colorful characters, artist Jul offers a humorous and whimsical take on prehistory.

After being showcased at the Musée de l’Homme (Paris), the “Silex and the City” exhibition is now on display among the permanent collections of the Muséum de Toulouse. It’s a true invitation to step into the artist’s world: a realm where the art of drawing is closely intertwined with science—and prehistory in particular—allowing visitors to discover, step by step, the behind-the-scenes process of creating the comic strip.

MAJOR EXHIBITION

October 8, 2024 – July 29, 2026

66 million years ago, a meteorite wiped out most marine reptiles, all flying reptiles and all dinosaurs except birds. This massive extinction led to the development of small mammals, that had previously lived in the shadow of the giants. Gradually, they conquered the habitats left vacant, diversified and some grew to gigantic sizes. Visitors will discover the history of 8 little-known species from the Cenozoic era through 3 life-size skeletons and 5 titanic 3D sculptures.

MAJOR EXHIBITION

October 14, 2023 – July 7, 2024

The scandalous life of nature

With its new major exhibition, Sex appeal, the scandalous life of nature, the Toulouse Museum has chosen to lift the veil on the biodiversity of life through the prism of sexuality. Indeed, isn’t sex the key element of evolution and therefore of biodiversity on this planet which is teeming with life? On the animal side, from the masturbation of primates to the oral sex of bats, from the courtship of the bird of paradise to the homosexuality of lions, the polygamy of chimpanzees, the hermaphroditism of snails and many other genres.

EXHIBITION

September 5, 2023 – January 7, 2024 (extended through February 11)

After the Rugby World Cup, the Museum also celebrates the Oval with Naturally rugby, an astonishing and fun exhibition presented until February 11, 2024.

Faithful to the particularity of the Museum, this dive into Ovalie is treated from a multidisciplinary perspective and offers a historical, geographical, biological and societal point of view. Families, rugby enthusiasts and naturalists can learn more about rugby and its origins.

MAJOR EXHIBITION

October 22, 2022 – July 2, 2023

Preserved bodies, eternal bodies

The year 2022 marks both the bicentenary of the deciphering of hieroglyphs by J.F. Champollion and the centenary of the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun.

However, this is not an Egyptology exhibition offered by the Museum of Toulouse. The theme of mummies chosen for its new temporary exhibition goes far beyond that. Whether artificial mummies, witnesses of ancient funeral rites, or natural mummies formed by the action of frost, salt, peat or even amber, this exhibition focuses on the conservation of body, whether human or animal. She also looks at contemporary conservation techniques and raises ethical and deontological questions related to the conservation of human remains. The choice of the Museum is therefore far from trivial. Programming an exhibition on mummies means questioning humanity about its relationship to time, the search for eternity and death.

MAJOR EXHIBITION

April 30 – October 30, 2022

A Living Exploration

Explore the theme of trees through a temporary, lighthearted, playful, and sensory installation, initially presented at two locations: downtown and at the Museum Gardens in Borderouge.

The concept of nature is often associated with that of the tree, the very mention of which evokes a variety of images: it is anchored in the ground by its roots, its leaves follow the rhythm of the seasons, and it can be found in urban settings, in the mountains, by the sea, or deep in the jungle.
In recent years, science has turned its attention to plant communication, and the tree is a worthy ambassador for this field.
This exhibition is organized into four zones arranged around totem trees. Placed at the center of the exhibition, they guide visitors toward the themes explored.

MAJOR EXHIBITION

December 19, 2020 – January 2, 2022

This Toulouse segment of an exhibition co-produced with the Musée des Confluences in Lyon explores the science of magic. In Lyon, Act 2 focused on humanity’s relationship with magic since the dawn of time, as a timeless and universal social phenomenon.

In Toulouse, once you step through the red curtain, you enter a realm of magic! Take a few steps into the enchanted forest and shiver as you encounter mysterious animals. Watch the moon come to life and let yourself be captivated by the powers of plants with magical properties; transform yourself into an animal or into the shamans and witches who once inhabited—or still inhabit—the world.

Combining optical illusions, emotions, and sound experiences, “Magic and Witchcraft” is an exhibition designed to be experienced and felt, exploring the fine line between science and the irrational.

Through a magical bestiary and the Museum’s unique scientific perspective, the exhibition navigates the space between belief and knowledge, centering on the triad of magic, science, and beliefs—concepts that help humans find answers and make sense of events that sometimes elude them.

MAJOR EXHIBITION

October 9, 2019 – June 28, 2020

The End of a World?

Natural history museums have always been dedicated to raising public awareness of the extent of biodiversity and the scientific advances that stem from it. This sharing of knowledge is all the more important when biodiversity is threatened and species are beginning to disappear. That is why the Toulouse Museum was committed to raising awareness about the concept of extinction and the changes needed to preserve nature.

After a world tour that took place to London, Beijing, and Porto, the “Extinctions” exhibition made a stop in Toulouse for the 2019–2020 season.

EXHIBITION

April 23, 2019 – December 2021

A Forest with Life

Through a unique, semi-permanent exhibition space spanning over 300 m²—one that is adaptable and connected—discover a captivating exhibition that brings you face-to-face with the living Amazon, its peoples, and its diversity.

The “Oka Amazonie” exhibition draws on the botanical, ethnographic, and zoological collections of the Toulouse Museum and introduces visitors to the history, culture, and way of life of Native American peoples today.

It provides insight into the fundamental issues involved: the protection of biodiversity, the future of indigenous cultures in a globalized world, and the preservation of tangible and intangible heritage.

Three exhibits reveal the incredible beauty of the Amazon region—a treasure trove of biodiversity—along with its inexhaustible cultural richness and iconic handicrafts. Visitors can discover these secrets throughout the tour, in an immersive exhibition that alternates between mythology and material culture.

MAJOR EXHIBITION

June 30, 2018 – June 30, 2019

The center of the world?

How was this island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean formed? How were the moai—those giant stone statues—carved? Are they really buried? Which animals contributed to the deforestation of the island? Are there still people living on Rapa Nui (the Polynesian name for Easter Island)?

Easter Island is a source of popular fascination and a captivating field of research for scientists from all disciplines.

This exhibition invites you to discover this legendary island and unravel some of its mysteries.

MAJOR EXHIBITION

October 11, 2017 – April 29, 2018

We have deified them, mythologized them, and sometimes even envied them… Today, they continue to pique the curiosity of our scientists, inspire our aerospace engineers, and evoke admiration in some and fear in others. From the legendary phoenix to the wings of the A320, birds of prey have fascinated us for thousands of years.

As lords of the skies, birds of prey are creatures endowed with exceptional abilities and embody the incredible diversity of the living world. They are a perfect example of adaptation and specialization. Diurnal, nocturnal, unpredictable, mysterious… But who are they really?

EXHIBITION

July 14, 2017 – June 17, 2018

Accompanied by the iconic characters from the series “Les As de la Jungle” throughout their journey, children and their parents learn about the balance of natural habitats and the threats they face. Immersed in a recreated jungle setting, visitors complete missions that help them learn more about the conservation of species and their environments.

The exhibition is divided into two main sections:

• A “Bestiary” section in the “As” lair. As an introduction, visitors discover each character from the series in life-size form, face-to-face with their real-life counterpart.
• A “Mission” area in the heart of the jungle. Visitors are invited to solve a mystery by exploring four exhibition sections set in a tropical forest setting.