Things to see and do Dundee

Verdant Works is an industrial museum that recounts Dundee's commercial past in the Jute Canvas. In a former restored production site, the machines and interactive installations can be seen in a more concrete way. Raw materials are presented before their transformation and the overall overview of the process is very playful. The approach is also humane, with workers'testimonies, their aspirations and their working conditions. There are also temporary exhibitions all year round.

It was on board the gigantic three-masted ship named RRS Discovery that Captain Robert Falcon Scott went to discover the South Pole in 1901. The mastodon was built in Dundee and was then the first ship to be equipped with 1,800 horsepower in a triple-explosion engine to split the Antarctic ice. Now you can discover her and her crew's exciting adventure at Discovery Point, on the city's docks, and visit the ship from top to bottom. The museum area reveals all the secrets of this great human adventure.

The V&A Dundee finally opened its doors on September 15, 2018. Designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kum, the building blends seamlessly into the cityscape and is not unlike the cliffs of the East End. The museum showcases the best of Scottish design, from fashion to furniture to architecture, in its diverse "Scottish design" gallery. It includes a reproduction of a room designed by the interior designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Temporary exhibitions complete the offer and the space.

7 km east of Dundee, in the Broughty Ferry district, is this 16th century tower that dominates the surroundings. It was built to guard the entrance to the Tay River and now houses an exhibition on the local history and that of its people, as well as the flora and fauna of the area. The whaling industry of the town is particularly well covered. The castle offers a magnificent view of the river. Make the most of your visit by taking a walk on the beach and along the esplanade of Broughty Ferry.

If you enjoyed Discovery Point, you may also want to visit Dundee's second naval attraction. This almost 200 year old ship is the only example of a wooden warship still visible in Scotland. Built by the Royal Navy and launched in 1824, she could accommodate 46 guns and 300 men for a total length of 46 metres. Today it is possible to walk along its four levels, from bow to stern, to immerse oneself in the heart of this fascinating witness of the past. Children can even take the tour in disguise!

Built in 1953 and equipped with a refraction telescope, it is the only observatory in Great Britain where an astronomer is permanently present. Exhibitions on space exploration are organized there.

History : The Mills Observatory was established by a bequest from John Mills in 1935, a wealthy flax farmer, who left the observatory a legacy of fertile land. Designed by the town's architect, McLellan Brown, in collaboration with Professor Ralph Sampson, it is built in sandstone and has a rather atypical dome 7 m in diameter. It was built for the sole purpose of popularizing science to the general public! Its main telescope measures 400 mm in diameter and offers quality images of the Moon and the planets. However, it has another, much more prestigious and older instrument, a 250 mm telescope made by Thomas Cooke of York in 1871. Alas! due to its age and condition, it is hardly used anymore. When this observatory opened its doors on October 28, 1935, it housed a 450 mm mirror telescope built by Grubb Parsons of Newcastle. What remains of this equipment can still be seen today in one of the observatory's rooms. An astonishing mixture of classicism (the buildings and old telescope) and modernity (the telescopes in which visitors usually observe), this observatory is still worth the trip, as it is located in a pleasant wooded park that stands in stark contrast to the surrounding residential areas.

This historical museum is located in a building with beautiful neo-gothic architecture. It would be ideal to visit on arrival in Dundee to better understand the city. Two floors and eight galleries tell the story of the city and the whole region over some 400 million years. The first men, the Victorian era, the whaling industry and many others are the subject of much attention, with the help of numerous period objects of great heritage and aesthetic value. An audioguide allows you to enjoy a complete visit in French.

This huge space dedicated to contemporary art is one of the great pride of the city. On five floors, it offers two exhibition galleries, but also two cinemas and a very trendy café. Many of today's British artists are represented here, as well as some international names. It is one of the cultural lungs of Dundee and will delight all lovers of innovation and creativity. Don't forget to check out the website for the latest news about the venue, which boasts a programme that is as eclectic as it is dense.