Permanent exhibition
Biodiversity: a treasure to discover
At the Naturmusée, we invite you into a true library of life -- a unique room where shelves filled with mounted animals bring together species from every corner of the world: from land, sea and sky. Selected from our collections, each of these carefully preserved specimens tell their own story of the immense diversity and beauty of the animal kingdom. Like the books of a great library, every animal is an open page revealing the richness of global biodiversity.
Did you know that life is everywhere? From the depths of the oceans to mountain peaks, from volcanic hot springs to snowy landscapes, living beings thrive in almost every environment on Earth. At the Naturmusée, you will also discover the great variety of local plants and animals that inhabit Luxembourg’s forests, meadows, fields and even urban areas. Each region of the country shelters its own biodiversity, with species perfectly adapted to their habitat.
Biodiversity is also a vast puzzle in which every piece matters. When a species disappears, the entire balance is threatened. This is why we help you understand the importance of preserving every form of life, even those that may seem insignificant. Together, let’s explore this incredible variety of living beings, all interconnected.
Evolution: a journey through time
Evolution tells the fascinating story of how life on Earth has changed, long before humans appeared. You will embark on a true journey through time in our permanent exhibition to discover a planet in constant motion: drifting continents, erupting volcanoes, earthquakes.
Living beings must continually adapt to these changes. This is the process we commonly call evolution. New species emerge while others disappear. Fossils are precious witnesses that show us what animals and plants looked like in the distant past. At the Naturmusée, you can discover the Loschbour Man, the oldest known Luxembourger, and learn how species have adapted to different living conditions on Earth.
Evolution explains the exceptional richness of life today. From microscopic bacteria to the largest animals, every species has followed its own path to survival, while sharing a common history. This is the captivating story we invite you to explore.
But what exactly is life?
This question, simple in appearance, remains one of the greatest mysteries. At the Naturmusée, we invite you to explore life in all its forms --from the simplest to the most complex, from beings invisible to the naked eye to giants such as whales or sequoias.
Long ago, very simple forms of life likely crossed the boundary between the inert and the living. But what defines a living being? All share certain characteristics: they feed, grow, reproduce and respond to their environment. Whether plants, animals, fungi or tiny bacteria, all meet these criteria. And if signs of life exist here, why not elsewhere? This is what scientists seek to discover by exploring other planets and outer space.
In our permanent exhibitions, you will also learn that we are all made of “stardust”. The elements that make up our bodies were created in stars billions of years ago. Realising that we are connected to the entire universe may feel dizzying, but it also invites us to look differently at this precious, fragile, complex and interdependent -- and perhaps even slightly magical -- thing we call life. Understanding what life is also means recognising its complexity, its fragility, and the deep interdependence that links all its forms.
