Centre national du graphisme
Chaumont art centre devoted to graphic design, housed in the former Banque de France, with free exhibitions, a bookshop and a café.
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About the museum
The Centre national du graphisme, also called Le Signe, continues a history that began in 1905, when Gustave Dutailly bequeathed to the town of Chaumont a collection of about 5,000 illustrated posters. Since 1990 the town had held an international poster and graphic design festival, which enriched this collection with thousands of contemporary posters.
Le Signe opened on October 6, 2016, in the former Banque de France building, renovated and extended over about 1,000 m². Some original features remain, such as the parquet floors, fireplaces, mirrors and facade, combined with contemporary architecture. The conversion was entrusted to the agency of architect and set designer Alain Moatti.
The centre presents exhibitions on graphic design, has organised an international graphic design biennial every two years since 2017 and has published the magazine LSD – Le Signe Design since 2020. It also offers workshops, guided tours and a specialised bookshop.
Highlights
- Free exhibitions on graphic design
- Poster collection from the Dutailly bequest of 1905
- Renovated former Banque de France
- International graphic design biennial every two years
- Specialised graphic design bookshop
- Café and coworking space, open access
- Founded
- 2016
- Director
- Jean-Michel Géridan
- Visitors per year
- approx. 28,245 (2019)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Workshop, 1 session (full price) | €9 |
|---|---|
| Workshop, 5-session subscription (full price) | €35 |
| Workshop, 1 session (reduced rate) | €6Reduced rate: students, under-18s, residents of Chaumont and Brottes, freelance artists and authors, teachers, guides, holders of the large-family card. |
| Workshop, 5-session subscription (reduced rate) | €20 |
Access to the exhibitions is free of charge. The prices listed apply to workshops, which are free for job seekers, recipients of social minimum benefits and partner or after-school organisations.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
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
- Café
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
The café and coworking space are open access. Free Wi-Fi is mentioned on the English version of the practical information page. The bookshop is open during opening hours and offers graphic design books, works on the history of graphic design, objects and stationery.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
The spaces of Le Signe can be hired for private or professional events, in a setting that combines contemporary architecture with older elements.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours and workshops are booked by e-mail (resa@cndg.fr) or by phone. |
