The best museums Finland

A must-see cultural and architectural site in Rovaniemi, with its glass roof stretching over 170 m along the banks of the Ounasjoki River. Comprising the Arctic Center of the University of Rovaniemi and the Provincial Museum of Lapland, the complex is dedicated to the nature and cultures of the peoples of the Far North. History is not forgotten, with the painful episode of the Second World War: in October 1944, the German army destroyed 90% of Rovaniemi.

It's hard not to be impressed by the quality of the exhibits and the educational aspect of the displays. We learn a whole host of things, from the fact that "Arctic" comes from Arktikos in Sami, meaning "land of the great bear", to the fact that the giant crab was introduced by man into the Barents Sea, throwing the entire ecosystem out of balance. In short, this entertaining tour is highly instructive. Everyday objects are on display, and good films are shown to help you learn more about the Sami people. Allow at least 2 hours for your visit.

The museum regularly offers temporary exhibitions, which are less costly to enter (usually 5 euros), and allow you to rediscover the site over and over again. They also offer a less time-consuming and different approach to the museum, for visitors in a hurry who would still like to enter this incredible building. It's a must-see!

Little bonus: the café-restaurant in the center is delicious! Perfect for a gourmet break after your visit.

The museum is dedicated to the Finnish painter Reidar Särestöniemi (1925-1981) and presents nearly 500 works including pastels, watercolours, oil paintings, drawings and woodcuts. The exhibitions change every six months according to the theme. The artist, who studied in Helsinki, returned to live and paint all his life on his native farm, drawing his inspiration from the Lapland landscapes and nature. Also temporary exhibitions.

Reopened in the summer of 2011 after long renovations, the museum is dedicated to bringing to life the unique tradition and history of a region at the crossroads between West and East. It hosts a permanent exhibition whose title "Karelia on both sides of the border" is self-explanatory, as well as the importance of the sauna. There are also temporary exhibitions. The Carelicum cultural centre also houses the tourist office and a very nice café.

This museum evokes the life of the Finns of the past. Farms and houses from different parts of Finland are reconstructed on this pleasant land. We walk from one to the other to discover the interiors of these dwellings, which are striking for the beautiful simplicity of their interior decoration, centred around enclosed beds and wall carpets (ryiji). Very characteristic, a large traditional Karelian log house. During the tourist season, a musician even plays the kantele. The large 18th-century state residence, entirely made of wood, houses interesting Gustavian-style furniture (Gustav III, King of Sweden, corresponds to the French Louis XV). See also the small and very Spartan hut where Aleksis Kivi wrote his novel The Seven Brothers. Religious service on Sundays in a small 17th century wooden church where, as wall lights, a row of carved wooden arms carry candles. Also take a trip to the old smoke sauna and the old mill. Objects remind us of the years of great misery and famine, such as shoes made of braided birch bark. Please note that the museum is only open from May 15 to September 15. On site, for those who want, guided tours (in English) are available from June 15 to August 15, every day at 3pm. Bar and restaurant are available for a break during the walk. The museum also has a nice souvenir shop.

Craft Museum or Luostarinmäki. In 1827, the town was almost completely destroyed by fire with 2,500 houses going up in smoke. Only a modest craftsmen's quarter on the Luostarinmäki hill was spared, which has since been converted into an open-air museum and has been a national heritage site since 1940. More than 30 workshops with their signs, furniture and tools are perfectly preserved there. The whole village offers a vivid picture of the customs and shops of the 18th and 19th centuries. In summer, folk dances and concerts.

At the beginning of 2018, the Amos Andersson Museum moved to historic buildings dating from 1936 that have been completely restored. If the BBC and the Guardian have named it among the most interesting museums in the world, it is not usurped! Indeed, you will discover on 200 ^m2 three exhibitions per year which are most often on the Contemporary or Modern Art themes. Part of the museum offers to see or review historical films, sometimes in French. The programme of exhibitions and films shown is on the website.

This museum traces the history of the fortress from the 18th century to the present day: in particular its construction and the life of the naval base and garrison. Every 30 minutes, the Suomenlinna Experience film is screened in the auditorium, 9 languages are available including French. This is a 25-minute historical film on the big screen that sums up the entire history of the Suomenlinna fortress. This gives a good understanding of the past of this site and its issues in particular. Open all year round, it's free with the Helsinki Card.

This interesting museum, renovated in 2008, reveals the mysteries of flora and fauna through four permanent exhibitions (Finnish Nature, Nature of the World, History of Life and History of Bones) as well as temporary exhibitions. The Kaisaniemi and Kumpula botanical gardens and the mineral cabinet (^3rd floor of the Arppeanum, Snellmaninkatu 3) are extensions of the museum. Tip: it's free for a few days a year (see website).

Aboa Vetus (literally "Old Turku" in Swedish) is an ingenious and relevant portrayal of a medieval district. Renovation work in the early 1990s uncovered period streets and the foundations of medieval houses. A successful reconstruction that plunges us into the everyday world of the inhabitants. Opened in 1995, the museum is still evolving as excavations continue. The Ars Nova focuses on contemporary art.

The local customs and traditions are honoured with eight different themes: fishing and hunting, agriculture, the Viking origins, daily life, navigation, the city, wars and the autonomy of the islands of Åland. A comprehensive museum which allows you to understand the history of the islands and lifestyle of its inhabitants.

A museum that traces the history of Finnish sport through numerous exceptional objects from all eras. You'll find Olympic medals, a crystal globe, autographed soccer shirts (such as Jari Litmanen's) and video documents from the era. The visit is also suitable for younger visitors, thanks to the many play facilities available on site. The tour can be combined with a visit to the Olympic Stadium Tower.

Recently opened in a magnificent space (a former printing house), this museum, which is mainly dedicated to contemporary Finnish and Nordic art, is well worth a visit. More accessible than its cousin Kiasma, Emma gives you a diversified picture of Finnish art through 500 works representing different currents of art from the ^20th century to the present day, notably from the November Group. The permanent collection was developed by the Saastamoinen Foundation, which continues its policy of acquiring contemporary art.

After a stopover in the museum's café-restaurant, you can take advantage of your time at WeeGee to visit the other rooms: the interesting collection of the Helinä Rautavaara ethnographic museum, an adventurer who brought back ritual objects, masks, paintings and photos from her many travels around the world...

Also on the first floor are the Clock Museum and the Espoo City Museum, which traces the city's (rapid!) evolution, as well as temporary exhibitions. The yellow Futuro in the adjoining park (a 50 m² habitat designed by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen in the late 1960s in a series of around a hundred units, and which bears a striking resemblance to a flying saucer) has recently been revived, taking visitors back in time to the futuristic architecture and design of the late 1960s. A must-see if you're an enthusiast or in the industry. One of Finland's finest museums, not to be missed!

Ideal if you want to find out more about the search for and exploitation of gold: the exhibition presents the history of gold prospecting in Lapland, from the rush on the Ivalojoki River in 1868 to the present day. Also on display is an overview of gold prospecting around the world, the working conditions of gold miners, and a collection of precious stones. Bonus: the gold site offers you the chance to pan for gold yourself (outdoors in summer, or inside the panning site in winter).

It is housed in former ceramic factories. There are several permanent exhibitions devoted to innovations, the Tammerkoski waterfalls and the civil war that raged in Tampere in 1918 (the exhibition is not recommended for children under 13). You'll also find the Post Museum, the Toy Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Finnish Hockey Museum, where you can test your aiming skills with the goal simulator. A must-see!

This museum devoted to local history and folk art is well worth a visit, offering the most comprehensive cultural panorama of the region. Rose-painted clocks and cupboards, troika sledges, kantele, old weaving looms... Three rooms are dedicated to Vaasa. The Hedman collections are housed in 12 closed rooms. This is the most astonishing part of the museum, as the collection abounds in masterpieces. Ask at the cash desk for a guide to accompany you. On the first floor, you'll find the Terranova center dedicated to the Kvarken archipelago.