Musée Pasteur
Museum Historic museum in Pasteur's former laboratory and home
Housed in Louis Pasteur’s former laboratory near Paris, Musée Pasteur showcases his experiments, scientific instruments and the history of microbiology for visitors interested in science history.
Musée Pasteur is the museum located on the grounds of the Institut Pasteur in Paris, dedicated to the life and scientific work of Louis Pasteur. The institute itself was founded in the late 19th century and the museum preserves his laboratory and related material.
The Institut Pasteur was established in the late 19th century as a research centre; the museum preserves spaces and objects connected to Pasteur’s career to document his role in developing vaccination and microbiology. The preserved laboratory and apartment convey the working environment of his time.
The museum sits on the Institut Pasteur campus in Paris’s 15th arrondissement, near Porte de Versailles and accessible by public transport.
- On-site highlights: The museum is located on the campus of the Institut Pasteur in Paris and includes Pasteur's preserved laboratory spaces and his burial vault on the site.
What to See #
- Laboratory and apartment: The site preserves Louis Pasteur's former laboratory and living quarters on the Institute's grounds, presented as part of the museum visit.
- Exhibition rooms: A small exhibition area explains Pasteur's major experiments and contributions to microbiology and immunology with original instruments and explanatory displays.
How to Get to Musée Pasteur #
Musée Pasteur is in Paris’s 15th arrondissement, on the Pasteur Institute grounds near the Pasteur metro station (Line 6). From Montparnasse it’s about a 20-25 minute walk or a short metro ride.
Tips for Visiting Musée Pasteur #
- If interested in Pasteur's lab techniques, check for occasionally scheduled guided tours of the historic laboratory.
- The museum is small - allow 45-90 minutes rather than half a day.
- Pair a visit with the Musée Curie nearby for a neat science‑history double bill.
Best Time to Visit Musée Pasteur #
Visit in spring or autumn when Paris is easier to walk and museum crowds are lighter.
Weather & Climate near Musée Pasteur #
Musée Pasteur's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 25°C. Moderate rainfall (653 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with 65 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.