本文主要在於探討生態博物館之緣起背景、演化歷程、內涵與發展概況，此外，也同時分析法國二座生態博物館的營運方式與其背後所隱含的意義。嘗試透過理論與實例的相互對照，勾勒出生態博物館的發展面貌與實質意涵。
簡言之，生態博物館的理念就是將地域本身的自然與文化資產視為博物館的主體，而以地域內居民參與其中而形成的博物館。而生態博物館的崛起，主要是源自於社會大環境的變遷與需求。政治、經濟、文化等社會生態變遷與觀光型態的轉變，都是造成博物館型態有所分化因素所在。而生態博物館的發展歷程也非一成不變的模式，而是因地制宜，視各地特色與風土民情之不同而有所差異。
生態博物館在國外已行之有年，歷經了萌芽期、發展期、與成熟期，甚至已分化出原創者所始料未及的各式面貌，有人則認為生態博物館的原意已逐漸被扭曲與濫用，並出現一些令人隱憂的現象（例如，霸權、均質化等趨勢）。然而在國內，這一切只是處於剛起步的階段，隨著近年來社區再造運動的大力推動，「博物館社區化」已成為一股無法抵擋的潮流，生態博物館的理念於焉誕生與茁壯。各地設立博物館的主導權已漸漸由當權者、專業者的全盤掌控，轉化為部份由當地居民主導及參與的局面。博物館轉趨活化，未來將走向區域博物館網絡連結的營運方式。她的角色已不單單是歷史與自然文物的儲存與展示空間，更是社區居民凝聚向心力、活化社區文化資產、創造集體記憶與振興地方產業特色的機制之一。
生態博物館的理念具有濃厚的理想色彩，常會與現實的政治與文化環境產生抵觸，台灣也面臨同樣的情況。未來的發展相當需要周遭相關措施（尤其是公部門）之改革來因應之。唯有如此，這股風潮才有可能在台灣各地蓬勃地發展與茁壯。
This paper is focused on the origin, history, meanings and development of the ecomuseum. Meanwhile, two French ecomuseums are analyzed and helped to clarify the theoretic concept of ecomuseum. In brief, the meanings of ecomuseum is "Viewing the natural and cultural assets of the whole life area as the museum's domain. And adding the residents' involvement in the museum". The ecomuseum's appearance was originated from the change and demand of the whole social environment. It's development process is different from place to place.
In the foreign country, the development of ecomuseum is in the mature stage. And sometimes even been distorted and misused. However, in Taiwan, it is only in the beginning stage. "Museum communization" has became a social trend in the recent years. There is a growing awareness in the concept of ecomuseum. The power of establishing a museum is gradually changed and transferred. The residents get more power on the decisive process. Today the role of the museum is not only the storage and exhibition area, but also the communal place where people can share their memory and feelings, where community assets can be rejuvenated, where local industry characteristics can be enhanced and so on.
Generally speaking, the ecomuseum is somewhat an ideal concept. And usually countered with the political and cultural environment of the real world. In the future, some relevant government regulations and organizations should be renovated, then we will have a better environment for the development of ecomuseum.
