From 3 July 2026 to 9 May 2027, the Musée de la Grande Ardenne in Bastogne is presenting *Animal. Museum Beasts*, a group exhibition organised by the Lux Musea network, conceived and curated by the museum using items from the collections of the eleven partner museums.
Animals have always played a vital role in our lives. Present in the landscapes, human activities and collective imagination of the Province of Luxembourg, they have served in turn as working companions, sources of raw materials, pets, symbols or legendary figures.
Through archaeological artefacts, works of art, stuffed animals and historical documents, *Animal. Bêtes de Musées* explores the many relationships that bind humans and the animal world. The exhibition looks back at the traditional uses of animals in rural and craft-based communities, as well as at how our perspective has evolved: from the animal as a useful creature to the animal to which we now accord a special emotional place.
Animals are also at the heart of our stories, our beliefs and our representations. They embody our fears, our values and our way of understanding the world. The wolf, a figure that is both real and symbolic, illustrates this complex relationship particularly well: its return to Wallonia has reignited contemporary debates whilst echoing an ancient legacy of stories, fears and imaginings.
Spanning heritage, history, nature and culture, *Animal. Bêtes de Musées* offers a sensitive and well-researched exploration of the animal presences that shape our lands and societies.
To mark the exhibition, an original publication extends the visitor experience. More than just a catalogue, this book presents the exhibition’s main themes, highlights a selection of exhibits and features interviews with people whose work is directly linked to the animal world. It is a way of enriching the visitor’s experience by bringing together the perspectives of specialists, enthusiasts and professionals.
This exhibition is organised as part of Lux Musea, the network of museums in the Province of Luxembourg comprising: the Cordaneum (Marche), the Domaine provincial du Fourneau Saint-Michel (Saint-Hubert), the Famenne & Art Museum (Marche), the Archaeological Museum (Arlon), the Orval Abbey Museum (Villers-devant-Orval), the Grande Ardenne Museum (Bastogne), the Museum of the Celts (Libramont), the Museum of Megaliths (Wéris), the Gaspar Museum (Arlon), the Gaumais Museum (Virton) and the Redouté Museum (Saint-Hubert).
Practical information
- Exhibition included in the admission ticket to the Grande Ardenne Museum
- Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10.00–18.00 (last admission at 17.00)
- Combined ticket with other Lux Musea museums: one ticket purchased for the Animal exhibition entitles you to free entry to another museum in the network… and vice versa!
