Le Grand Séchoir

About the museum

Le Grand Séchoir occupies the former Gaillard family farm in Vinay; its walnut drying barn forms the heart of the renovated building. An architectural competition selected a team of architects, landscape designers and a set designer, who kept the character of the original building and added a contemporary glass entrance opening onto the park. The works lasted two years. The site's first temporary exhibition, “De la ferme Gaillard au Grand Séchoir”, dates from 2005.

The museum tells the story of the Grenoble walnut, emblematic of the Dauphiné region and the first fruit to obtain a controlled designation of origin, in 1938. Walnut trees spread through the Isère valley after diseases struck the vineyards and mulberry trees.

The permanent exhibition covers walnut legends, the walnut grower's trade (nuciculteur), the harvest with photographs from 1932 and archive films, nurseries, uses of the walnut and walnut wood, and the heritage of the drying barns of the South Grésivaudan, which are often abandoned today. The walnut orchard, facing the Vercors, brings together walnut trees from around the world and old varieties.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition on the Grenoble walnut
• Storytelling cabin for children
• Walnut orchard facing the Vercors, free access
• Contemporary glass entrance on a former drying barn
• Tearoom and shop open to all, no ticket needed

Permanent exhibitions

• L'exposition permanente – A playful presentation of the history of the Grenoble walnut: legends, walnut cultivation, harvest, nurseries, uses of the nut and wood, and the heritage of the drying barns of the South Grésivaudan.
• La Cabane à histoires – Reading area for children around picture books in which the walnut is the heroine, with a storytelling hut and a sensory wall.

Founded

2017

Admission & discounts

2026 rates; the ticket gives access to all exhibitions. The “carte ambassadeur” gives free access to the exhibition spaces when presented with at least one paying visitor.

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

Site accessible to visitors with reduced mobility. Exhibition spaces are air-conditioned.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Explorer booklets adapted to children's ages are available at reception. One family activity per month (a visit, show or workshop). The storytelling cabin is a reading area with a story hut, a sensory wall for the youngest and a reading corner.

Getting there & parking

Bike racks and e-bike charging points on site.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Tearoom and shop open to all, no ticket needed. Car park with 50 spaces, coach parking, bike racks and e-bike charging points.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit