The Passenger Pigeon - Ectopistes migratorius

There was a time when the North American sky could darken in broad daylight, not from a thunderstorm, but because of a now-extinct bird: the passenger pigeon. An iconic species with a tragic fate, Ectopistes migratorius alone embodies one of the most striking examples of rapid extinction caused by human activity. Once considered the most abundant bird on the planet, it completely disappeared in just a few decades.

Museum Night returns on May 16, 2026 to help you discover the city's museums in the evening.

The plow-nosed turtle - Astrochelys yniphora

Fun and unique guided tours that immerse you in the world of the museum and its artists

After eight months of extensive energy-efficiency renovations, the City of Tournai’s Natural History Museum and Vivarium will reopen its doors on Saturday, December 6, 2025. To mark this reopening, a festive program open to everyone—from local residents to visiting tourists—will be offered throughout the day!

The museum has reopened, and the “Insomnia” exhibition has been extended