During your visit, you will discover a rich collection of objects unearthed during archaeological excavations on the site (Rochefort cave, Dérouine porch, Chèvre cave) or in the Mayenne department, offering a detailed insight into the life of the first inhabitants of the Erve valley. Let yourself be transported during a visit, from the Upper Paleolithic to the Neolithic...
1
Stone tools
Discover a variety of stone tools, including laurel leaves (emblem of the Museum of Prehistory, featured on the logo), scrapers and arrowheads, which illustrate the manufacturing and usage techniques of early humans.
02
Wooden animal and shell objects
Here, a reindeer antler harpoon used for river fishing; there, a spearhead. During your visit, you'll see numerous objects that demonstrate the importance of animal hunting at the heart of the lives of Paleolithic hunter-gatherers.
Admire the reconstruction of a pierced shell necklace, which attests to migration and exchanges with other prehistoric populations.
2
Bones of prehistoric fauna
Fragments of mammoth tusk, engraved bear rib, trout vertebra, cat canine, etc., allow us to better understand the environment and living conditions in the valley during the Upper Paleolithic (from -40,000 years to -9,500 years).
2
Wall art
Admire the ibex plaque, unearthed in Rochefort Cave. Learn more about the Margot Cave engravings with the readings available on the touchscreens and a life-size cast of a horse found in the cave.
5
Digital
At the heart of the exhibition, the Dome presents the Mayenne-Sciences cave in an immersive way thanks to a 3D reconstruction: dive into the depths of this cave, closed to the public, which contains drawings of bison, horses, mammoths, etc., made around 27 years ago. Numerous digital and interactive modules will punctuate your visit.
5
MODELS
In the Neolithic section (from -10 years to -000 years) of the museum, you will see models of the Dolmen des Erves (Sainte-Suzanne) and the covered walkways present in the Mayenne department.
Guided tours and activities at the museum
During school holidays, take part in thematic guided tours on the professions of archaeology, which highlight the archaeological collections of the Prehistory Museum.
Our mediators also run games ( Questions for a Prehistoric Champion , 12 hours in the shoes of a prehistoric human ) and workshops ( Rhos the Rhinoceros in stop motion) in the museum to test your knowledge of Prehistory in a fun way!
Activities on Prehistory are also offered at the museum during national events ( European Archaeology Days , European Heritage Days ) to deepen your knowledge of this fascinating period of human history.
Preparing my visit: frequently asked questions
Answers to the most frequently asked questions in one click!
How long does the museum visit last?
A self-guided tour of the Prehistory Museum lasts approximately 1 hour.
From what age can you visit the museum?
The museum is accessible to all ages . A game booklet is available for children (upon request at reception). For babies, we have designed a Baby Sapiens kit that follows the museum's route to introduce them to prehistory.
Is the museum accessible to people with reduced mobility?
The museum is accessible to everyone : people with reduced mobility, all disabilities, strollers… Easy-to-read and easy-to-understand guides are available at the museum reception upon request.
Do I need to book to visit the museum?
It is possible to visit without a reservation (unless the visit is combined with a cave tour). For guided tours (according to the schedule ), a ticket must be booked in advance.
What are the museum's opening hours?
Visits are possible from mid-February to mid-November: see the schedule.
Are animals/cameras allowed in the museum?
Animals are not allowed neither in the museum nor in the caves. They are, however, welcome for a walk in the valley, kept on a leash.
Photography is permitted in the museum.
