Merghelynck Museum

About the museum

The Merghelynck Museum is the life’s work of Ypres nobleman and antiquarian Arthur Merghelynck. In 1892 he bought the neoclassical townhouse that his great-grandfather had had built in 1774. Two years later he opened his museum there, furnishing it with 18th-century furniture, everyday objects and artworks. His period rooms made it look as though the occupants had only just left, a museum technique that was still new at the time.

After his death in 1908 the museum passed to the Belgian State, at the disposal of the Royal Academy of Belgium. During the First World War the building was completely destroyed and the collection was evacuated. Reconstruction of the house only began in 1931; it reopened in 1956, after 41 years. The layout is not an exact copy of the original arrangement, because many pieces had been lost and had to be replaced.

Since 1983 the museum has been protected as a monument. In 1994 the Royal Academy transferred management to the City of Ypres through a leasehold (erfpacht). Today the Yper Museum is in charge of day-to-day operations.

The collection numbers around 2,500 items, mainly from the 18th century: paintings, furniture, prints, textiles, drawings and everyday objects, including porcelain and musical instruments. It is considered closed and is no longer being added to. Visitors walk through, among other rooms, a reception room, dining room, music room, kitchen, staircase hall, bedrooms, smoking room and private salon.

Highlights

• The only museum in Flanders devoted entirely to the 18th century
• Period rooms such as the dining room, music room and bedrooms
• Painting “De Vijf Zintuigen” (The Five Senses) in the staircase hall
• Porcelain and musical instruments from the collection of Arthur Merghelynck
• Virtual tour of the house museum

Permanent exhibition

• Museumhuis met 18de-eeuwse stijlkamers – The townhouse features salons, a dining room, a music room, bedrooms and a kitchen, furnished with 18th-century furniture, paintings, porcelain and musical instruments.

Founded

1892

Operated by

Stad Ieper (dagelijkse werking: Yper Museum)

Admission & discounts

Residents of Ypres have free access. On the Open Monument Day weekend the museum has previously been free to visit.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The Merghelynck Museum is a house museum that cares about the authenticity of the 18th century. For this reason there are several staircases, and because of the historical character of the house there is (as yet) no lift. The museum welcomes suggestions and can arrange an adapted tour; questions can be sent by email.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Every Sunday during a school holiday, children can take the footman or housemaid training with their (grand)parents. A real footman or housemaid teaches them the ins and outs of the trade and tells them about the 18th-century nobility; afterwards they receive a diploma. The course costs €6 per person and lasts 75 minutes.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The Koetshuys (coach house), restored in spring 2026, is available for meetings, lectures and other small-scale activities. Under conditions, the museum is also available for professional or private photo shoots.

Plan your visit