Musée-bibliothèque de Saint-Calais

About the museum

The Saint-Calais museum-library opened on November 10, 1889, designed by the architect Charles Garnier, a native of the town. It occupied a large building that also housed the town hall and an Italian-style theatre. The project combined three lessons: a lesson in art, with loans from the Ministry of Public Instruction and private donations; a lesson in local history, based on the remains of the Benedictine abbey confiscated in 1792; and a lesson in natural history, drawing on the collections of regional scholars.

The museum closed in 1993 for safety and accessibility reasons. It was then restored and redesigned as a cabinet of curiosities, and reopened in 2009. It holds the “Musée de France” label.

The visit brings the atmosphere of the 19th century back to life. Visitors can see the natural history cabinet of Élie Cottereau, taxidermist and botanist, who preserved specimens of local fauna and flora, and the travel cabinet of Rear Admiral Gigault de la Bedollière, who bequeathed trophies and colonial products from Asia, West Africa and the Americas. A precious cloth, the “Suaire de Saint-Calais”, is said to have wrapped the relics of Carilefus, founder of the abbey. The large hall of the heritage library (bibliothèque patrimoniale), set up in the residential wing of the former abbey, holds more than 10,000 volumes.

Highlights

• Natural history cabinet of Élie Cottereau with stuffed animals
• Travel cabinet of Rear Admiral Gigault de la Bedollière
• “Suaire de Saint-Calais”, a cloth linked to the relics of the abbey’s founder
• Large hall of the heritage library, with more than 10,000 volumes
• Manuscripts and paintings from the fine arts

Permanent exhibitions

• Cabinets de curiosités du musée-bibliothèque – Natural history cabinet of Élie Cottereau, Gigault de la Bedollière travel cabinet, paintings, manuscripts and the “Suaire de Saint-Calais”, in a setting that evokes the 19th century.
• Bibliothèque patrimoniale (fonds ancien) – Large hall in the former abbey’s residential wing, with more than 10,000 volumes, including items from the former popular library. Visits to the rare-book holdings by appointment.

Founded

1889

Operated by

Commune de Saint-Calais

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free and open to all for free visits.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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 museum-library and the rare-book holdings are accessible to people with reduced mobility.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit