The "Maison des Minéraux"" in Crozon (Brittany, France)

 

Entering the "Fluorescence" section of the exhibition brings visitors before a black wall adorned with cascading fluorescent minerals (wernerite, sodalite, fluorite, willemite and calcite from Franklin, sodalite, opal, septaria...). A timer alternates between daylight and blacklight to the delight of children... and adults! It is the only place in the museum where shortwave luminescence can be seen.

Above on the right, a "river" of willemite and calcite from Franklin; below from left to right: opal from Virgin Valley, wernerite from Canada, and fluorite, sodalite, septaria.

You then enter a room with eight conventional display cases, also illuminated alternately with daylight and longwave ultraviolet light only. Children receive a fun educational questionnaire at the entrance and eagerly set about completing it...