Fribourg Natural History Museum Prepares to Move Famous Whale

The Musée d’histoire naturelle de Fribourg (MHNF) is preparing for the relocation of its most prominent exhibit, a 12-meter-long stuffed whale, to a new facility. The move is part of a broader transition to a new building located on the route des Arsenaux in Fribourg, which is expected to open to the public by the end of 2028.

The whale is scheduled to be the first object to occupy the new building. Structural work on the new facility is expected to be completed in early summer 2026, coinciding with the planned move of the specimen.

Logistical and Conservation Challenges

The MHNF has characterized the relocation as a défi majeur (major challenge). The difficulty stems primarily from the scale of the exhibit, as the whale’s 12-meter length makes it one of the largest items in the museum’s entire collection.

Beyond the physical size, the museum noted that specific conservation measures are required to ensure the specimen does not sustain damage during the transport process or while in subsequent storage.

Relocation Timeline

The transition to the new building has been executed in stages. The process began on November 3, 2025, with the closure of the bird dioramas.

More recently, the museum closed the hall dedicated to the whale and world vertebrates to the public in early March 2026 to facilitate the preparations for the specimen’s journey. The physical move of the whale is slated for summer 2026.

Community Engagement and History

To mark the transition, the museum organized a farewell event for the whale on February 28, 2026. Held under the motto Bis bald baleine! (See you soon, whale!), the celebration included music, games, guided tours, and catering.

The museum also invited the public to participate in a creative competition titled Notre baleine en miniature (Our whale in miniature). The contest, open to all age groups and available for individuals, groups, or school classes, challenged participants to create a three-dimensional representation of the whale.

The whale has been a centerpiece of the MHNF since 1882, when it joined the collection along with other objects from a traveling maritime museum. The specimen was stuffed more than 170 years ago.