THE MUSEUM
The museum's collections reveal the astonishing mineral wealth of the Beaujolais region.
Come and admire the abundant fossils from the Pierres Dorées region, including the magnificent cast of a giant ichthyosaur unearthed locally, as well as the many cut flints, polished axes and other tools from the Pôle de Préhistoire Beaujolaise.
Let yourself be drawn into the heart of a land of character: the Beaujolais region! Here, geology and subsoil resources have a major influence on the landscape, the soil, the flora, the vines and the wine, and on the people, their habitat and their activities.
THE GEOLOGICAL FAULT
This magnificent fault runs along the preserved cliff face of a former quarry site.
Under your feet and in front of you are ancient marine sediments formed when a tropical sea occupied the Beaujolais region 150 to 200 million years ago!
THE BOTANICAL GARDEN
Covering almost 2 hectares, the Pierres Folles botanical garden is home to 530 species of wild flora from Lyon and the Beaujolais region.
The landscaping, the rigorous labelling and the cultural and scientific information panels make this botanical conservatory a great place for education and discovery for everyone.
RELAXATION AREA & EVENTS
On the geological and botanical site, there is a large play and picnic area (with lawn, tables, shade and water) for relaxing with family and friends.
Guided tours: 1h30-2h: an interpreter will guide you through the museum's collections to give you the best possible overview of them and explain their features in detail, combining juicy anecdotes with topical questions.
Demonstrations: At regular times, a mediator will be in the museum grounds to present and explain to the public a demonstration of fire lighting using prehistoric techniques.
A catering service is in preparation.
Various activities are also available for groups by prior arrangement: guided tours of the museum, fun and educational workshops (lighting a fire, being a good hunter, fossil casting, cave art, prehistoric jewellery, fossil creation / From age 7).
The following educational workshops are available on reservation or at the ticket office:
- Fire-lighting workshop: discover the techniques used to create fire in prehistoric times. For children aged 8 and over. Duration: 1 hour
- Hunting workshop: discover Palaeolithic hunting techniques and try your hand at shooting with a propulsor. For children aged 8 and over. Duration: 1 hour
- Cave art workshop: practise prehistoric artistic techniques and create a work of art. For children aged 3 and over. Duration: 1 hour.
- Ornaments workshop: create a prehistoric ornament and explain primitive aesthetics. For children aged 6 and over. Length: 1 hour.
- Fossil modelling workshop: Create a fossil and take it home. For children aged 3 and over. Length: 1 hour.
- Fossil demoulding workshop: Explanation of the fossilisation process and moulding of a specimen to understand the usefulness of moulds. For children aged 8 and over. Length: 1 hour
Ouverture
From 17/05 to 06/07/2025 between 10 am and 6 pm.
Closed on Monday.
From 07/07 to 31/08/2025, daily between 10 am and 6 pm.
From 01/09 to 19/12/2025 between 10 am and 6 pm.
Closed on Monday.
Tarifs
Adult: 9 €
Reduced price: 6.50 €
Child : 5 €
Group adults: 6.50 €
Group children : 6 €.
Free entry for children < 6 years, the drivers, teachers.
Child entry valid for 6 - 16 years.
Group rate available for > 10 people.
Contact et accès
116 chemin du Pinay
69380 Saint-Jean-des-Vignes
Rhône (69)
