Butterfly Museum

Maison des Papillons

This museum was created by Dany Lartigue, son of the famous photographer Jacques-Henri Lartigue, and grandson of André Messager, member of the French Academy, manager of the Paris Opera and close friend of Fauré and Debussy. The butterflies are presented in their former family residence, now the property of the Town of Saint-Tropez. In this typical Tropezian home, a fabulous selection of all the French diurnal species is on show. They have been assembled by Dany Lartigue over the past decades. In all, there are more than 35 000 items, representing extinct or protected species, and others which are rarities or abnormalities, such as the Black Apollo from the Mercantour region. There is also an extremely important collection of exotic species from Amazonia and the Solomon Islands: «The most beautiful butterflies in the world». Thousands of specimens are still being sorted and repaired to be presented under the best conditions, the mode of presentation being the specific quality of this collection. With his artist's sensitivity, Dany Lartigue attempts a highly original approach. In many instances the natural environnement of a specis has been painstakingly reconstituted, enabling the visitor to appreciate the subtleties of colour and camouflage. The scientific value of the collection, as well as its intrinsic beauty, are recognised by entomologists the world over. An enriching experience for all age groups.
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