We are regularly in France, especially in the north, where my parents have a summer house. A place where I spend a lot of time during my childhood and where I still like to come. And because I visit this beautiful place now with my own daughter, I have to explore the area from a different perspective: as a mother. Which means I have to organize also activities that are fun for her and the whole family. And because Lara loves the museum, I decided to visit a beautiful one in Arras last week: Cité Nature.
Cité Nature is a cultural and scientific center in a former industrial park in northern France. A center of 8000 m2 in the field of nature, food and health. The museum is located in an old factory that produced lamps from miners. The interior is modern and light and fits very well in the industrial environment.
But more than a museum or an exhibition center, Cité Nature is a place where agriculture, industry, research and the public meet each other. The cultural and scientific center organizes exhibitions, conferences, events and shows and regularly provides educational programs to schools.
The permanent exhibitions handle many subjects. It’s about discovering the food, its secrets, and farming life with its techniques and products. Many panels and computer games gives the visit a playful character, while the facts stays central. Two spaces where play and pedagogy are mixed together, are especially reserved for the most little children.
Currently there is a temporary exhibition until October 2018: CROC’EXPO, Les fruits, les legumes et moi. An exhibition about fruit and vegetables for children from 3 to 12 years old. Within this exhibition everyone will discover the origins of vegetables, how they grow, are harvested, but also the services that fruit and vegetables donate to our body and our health. The exhibition is set up playful and educative with games, interactive programs and theoretical diagrams.
Cité Nature is also a place where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and have a nice walk in the surrounded gardens of the museum.
When you’re in Arras, a visit to this museum is definitely worth it. The exhibitions and theme gardens are playful and educational designed and perfect for a day trip for the whole family.
Cité Nature – 25 Boulevard Robert Schuman, 62000 Arras, France – T: +33 3 21 21 59 59 – E: mail@citenature.com – www.citenature.com