Association of Harmas and Naturoptère companions

The association was founded in 1994 under the name "Compagnons de l'Harmas", by a group of people who were passionate about the work of the "Homer of insects" and who wanted to draw the attention of the public authorities to the urgent need to implement a programme to restore the Harmas.

Exhibitions, conferences and newsletters were the means of expression used to achieve this objective.

Between 2000 and 2006, the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle financed a major programme to restore the Harmas, house, garden and collections.

At the same time, the project to create a cultural and educational centre to extend Jean-Henri Fabre's work in entomology was emerging, at the initiative of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, the French Ministry of Education, the Vaucluse Department, the PACA Region and the commune of Sérignan du Comtat.

In April 2009, the Naturoptère cultural and educational centre opened its doors to the public. The design of this establishment, located in the immediate vicinity of the Harmas, was directly inspired by the work of Jean-Henri Fabre, in a modern, evolving museography, with a set of areas dedicated to practical work, a conference room and an educational garden.

So it was a natural step for the association to extend its activities to the Naturoptère in 2010, calling itself "Les Compagnons de l'Harmas et du Naturoptère".

The association takes part in a number of events, including Plantes rares et jardin naturel (April in Sérignan), the Fête de la Nature, the Fête de la Science, etc.

For several years now, the association has had a junior section dedicated to children under the age of 18. The junior companions take part in monthly practical sessions organised at the Naturoptère, during which they learn about the systematics of insects and plants, how to create herbariums, how to rear insects, how to create gardens that encourage biodiversity, etc...

Head office
Les Compagnons de l’Harmas et du Naturoptère
Hôtel de Ville - BP 12
84 830 Sérignan du Comtat

Contact
Association des compagnons de l’Harmas et du Naturoptère
M. Emile Laguna