The best museums Cardiff (Caerdydd)

With a wealth of permanent collections dedicated to fine arts, contemporary art and decorative arts, the Cardiff National Museum also offers the opportunity to explore the country through its natural history. The visit is a real delight for young and old alike. And free admission is a good argument for wasting a few hours, especially if the weather is rainy.

National Museum of Natural History. On the ground floor is a spectacular botanical, zoological and geological department. Reconstituted natural landscapes, stuffed animals, herbaria and interactive maps show the genesis of the Welsh landscape. The huge skeleton of a humpback whale and the world's largest leatherback turtle will impress the whole family.

National Museum of Art. On the ^first floor, the National Museum of Cardiff also stands out for its very rich collection of works of art from all over the world. The Italian school is well represented, with Botticelli or Tiepolo. Then came Richard Wilson, Thomas Jones and Sir William Goscombe John for the local stamp. Finally, an interesting impressionist collection: Landscape in Auvers under the rain of Van Gogh, painted a few weeks before his death, Cézanne, Les Parisiennes de Renoir, Pissaro, Sisley or even Boudin, Braque, Derain, Vlaminck, Max Ernst and Magritte testify to the eclecticism of the Conservatives' good taste.

The sculpture section is not to be outdone since a copy of Rodin's Baiser and some of the sculptor's originals are on display.

This handsome red-brick Gothic building was built in 1897. It became the administrative center of the Port of Cardiff in 1947. Since 2010, it has been a venue for events and conferences open to the public. It's also a museum, providing an insight into the history of the country and Cardiff Bay. From the golden age of its port, linked to iron ore and coal exports in the ^19th century, through the crises of the 1920s and 1950s, to the revival of the city since the 1980s.

A 16th century Tudor-style mansion transformed into a museum, which offers a fabulous journey through time in a very playful way. Be aware that the place is haunted and that ghost watching sessions are organized there! Do not trust its peaceful landscape... which hides a history marked by war. According to legend, many ghosts lurk within the walls of the mansion, and paranormal phenomena such as the appearance of ghosts or smells of food spreading for no apparent reason.

This museum is dedicated to the history of Cardiff, a small ^14th-century merchant town that became one of the world's largest ports in the 1900s. The first floor features a large exhibition with objects, interactive displays and a few paintings. In the basement, the museum section is more dedicated to children. The Old Library also houses a local crafts store and a café on the^1st floor. Regular temporary exhibitions enhance the visit. Don't hesitate to visit their website for more information.