Photo : Mazan
"On the trail of the dinosaurs" at the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution
Ready for a 140-million-year journey on the trail of Cretaceous dinosaurs? Follow the daily life of paleontologists on a dig site, and learn more about the incredible discoveries of the famous Angeac-Charente paleontological site!
Grande galerie de l'évolution - Jardin des Plantes
About
A unique heritage to discover
The paleontological collections of the Angoulême Museum are on display at the Museum's Grande Galerie de l'Évolution! Did you know that it was in this region, Aquitaine, that one of the largest dinosaurs known in the world was discovered?
140 million years ago, northern Aquitaine was covered with swamps, lagoons, and waterways. Since the beginning of the 2000s, paleontological research has highlighted fossil ecosystems rich in fauna and flora from the end of the Jurassic and the beginning of the Cretaceous in Charente and Charente-Maritime.
The Angoulême Museum thus houses remarkable paleontological collections resulting from these discoveries: more than 10,000 identified bones, 70,000 bone fragments, and 80,000 micro-remains (bones less than 10 mm in size), mainly of dinosaurs and crocodiles. It is the finest collection of Lower Cretaceous paleontology in Europe.
The exhibition
Where are dinosaurs found? How does a paleontological dig site operate? And afterwards, with what tools do paleontologists prepare the fossils? How do they study the collected specimens in the laboratory?
By browsing the On the trail of the dinosaurs exhibition, dive into this vanished environment where crocodiles, turtles, fish, small mammals, and herds of dinosaurs lived.
Discover a unique set of paleontological sites in France, stretching from the island of Oléron to Angeac-Charente. Skeletons, reconstructions of the landscape, and a film provide elements for a great journey between the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods!
(Re)discover specimens from the Museum's collections, in resonance with the collections of the Angoulême Museum.
Throughout the tour, also admire the illustrations by Pierre Mazan. Every year since its opening, the comic book author has illustrated the backstage of the Angeac-Charente excavations, which has become the largest dinosaur deposit in Europe.
Curatorship
- Project manager and scenographer: Béatrice Abonyi
- Scientific curator: Ronan Allain
- Illustrator: Mazan
Every day during school holidays (all zones) except Tuesdays.
Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays outside of school holidays.
Our take on this event
Step back 140 million years into a time when giants roamed the earth. This exhibition showcases an extraordinary collection of fossils discovered right here in France, offering a rare glimpse into the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. It is the perfect plan to channel your inner paleontologist and uncover long-forgotten mysteries.
Step into the Cretaceous period with the exhibition On the Trail of the Dinosaurs at the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution. This display highlights significant paleontological findings from the Charente and Charente-Maritime regions, showcasing a unique collection of fossils that once thrived in the ancient ecosystems of Aquitaine. Through a combination of skeletal remains, landscape reconstructions, and detailed illustrations by Pierre Mazan, the exhibition explores the scientific process of excavation and fossil preparation. Admission is paid, ranging from 11 to 14 euros, and includes access to the entire Grande Galerie de l'Évolution for a comprehensive journey through natural history.
From July 16, 2026, to January 4, 2028, the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution presents an exceptional collection recovered from French paleontological sites. These findings, representing the most significant Cretaceous ensemble in Europe, include over 10,000 identified bones and thousands of micro-remains. The exhibition illustrates how scientists uncover these ancient environments, providing insight into the life of dinosaurs, crocodiles, and small mammals that once inhabited the marshes and lagoons of the Aquitaine region.
The visitor path explores the transition between the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Alongside physical specimens and films, visitors can admire the work of illustrator Mazan, who provides a visual record of the excavations at the Angeac-Charente site. The project is led by curator Béatrice Abonyi and scientific commissioner Ronan Allain.
Guests can visit daily during school holidays, excluding Tuesdays, as well as on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays outside of holiday periods. Entry tickets are priced between 11 and 14 euros and cover both the exhibition and the permanent collections of the Grande Galerie de l'Évolution, located at the Jardin des Plantes.
