Maison du patrimoine médiéval mosan

About the museum

The Maison du patrimoine médiéval mosan is housed in the former Maison espagnole in Bouvignes, on the Place du Bailliage in the centre of the medieval village. The “Grande maison du marché” is first mentioned in 1472. It was set on fire in 1554 during the sacking of the town by the troops of the French king Henry II, and was quickly rebuilt by the ironworks master Gobert Maistrecocq. Dendrochronological analysis of the roof timbers dates the new house to 1568–1578. Its name recalls the Spanish occupation during which it was built, and its scrolled gables, with Brabantine influence, date from the first half of the 17th century.

In the 19th century the municipality of Bouvignes became the owner of the building in 1888 and installed the town hall and a boys’ school there; the house was listed in 1948. After the merger of municipalities in 1964 it housed a cultural centre with a library and museum, and in the 1980s a lighting museum. Since 2008, after major renovation, it has housed the Maison du patrimoine médiéval mosan, owned by the City of Dinant and run by an association.

The route covers a thousand years of medieval history along the Meuse: the river, the castle, the town, rural medieval society, the role of the Church in parishes and monasteries, Mosan ceramics and dinanderie. A 5.5 m long model shows the Meuse valley between Sedan and Maastricht. In 2009 the house received the European Union’s Prize for Cultural Heritage (Europa Nostra), and since 2011 it has been recognised by the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles as a category B museum.

Highlights

• 16th-century Maison espagnole, a building classed as Exceptional Heritage of Wallonia
• 5.5 m model of the Meuse valley between Sedan and Maastricht
• Rooms on the castle, the town, medieval society and funeral rites
• Medieval Mosan ceramics and dinanderie from Dinant
• Interactive visit with multimedia kiosks and copies of medieval clothing
• Europa Nostra Prize 2009 for education and awareness-raising

Permanent exhibition

• Collections permanentes : à la découverte du Moyen Âge – Room-by-room route on the Meuse, the castle and the town, rural medieval society, religious foundations, Mosan ceramics and dinanderie.

Founded

2008

Operated by

ASBL Maison du patrimoine médiéval mosan (bâtiment propriété de la Ville de Dinant)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free entry for everyone on the first Sunday of every month.

Free entry also for teachers (carte prof, EducPass), school groups, holders of the Attraction et tourisme passport, the FédéCarte, the UMons card or the museumPASSmusées, and for members of ICOMOS. The museumPASSmusées (€64.95, valid for one year) is sold at the museum.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Only the ground floor is accessible to people with reduced mobility. Dogs are welcome if they are calm enough; in case of heavy crowds or problematic behaviour, the museum may refuse entry to an animal.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

The museum holds the Marmaille & Co label of the Walloon museums for families and was approved “by and for children” in 2026. Activity booklets for 6 to 12-year-olds (€3.50 each) offer investigations and puzzles in the rooms, and medieval clothing copies can be tried on.

Getting there & parking

At reception, a repair kit with tools and a first-aid kit are available for cyclists.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit