Les Franciscaines Deauville

About the museum

Les Franciscaines occupy the former convent of the Franciscan sisters of Deauville. The site housed a 28-bed clinic, a dispensary active during the war, then schools, including the Saint-Joseph vocational high school from 1974. The sisters left the historic building on December 15, 2011, and the Town of Deauville acquired it in 2012.

The cultural project was entrusted to the architectural firm Moatti & Rivière, winner of the competition in June 2015; work began in January 2018. The venue opened in spring 2021 with the exhibition “Sur les chemins du paradis”. Covering more than 6,000 m², it brings together a museum, a media library, a FabLab, a performance hall, a glass-roofed cloister and the former chapel.

The museum is based on the donation of Nicole Hambourg, widow of the painter André Hambourg, made to the town in 2011: about 4,500 works, including 538 paintings and more than 3,000 drawings. It has since acquired many works linked to the history of Deauville, the horse world, Normandy landscapes and Impressionism, notably by Boudin, Signac, Dufy and Foujita, as well as more than 2,000 photographic prints. A deposit of 187 works from “Peindre en Normandie” also includes canvases by Monet, Renoir and Courbet.

Highlights

• Nicole and André Hambourg donation: about 4,500 works
• Permanent collection “Les Univers”: Deauville, horses, performances, art de vivre, youth
• “Peindre en Normandie” deposit with Monet, Renoir and Courbet
• More than 2,000 photographic prints
• Glass-roofed cloister, former chapel and Le Réfectoire tea room

Permanent exhibitions

• Les Univers – Permanent collection arranged in five thematic worlds around the cloister: Deauville, horses, performances, art de vivre and youth.
• Donation Nicole et André Hambourg – About 4,500 works by the painter André Hambourg: 538 paintings, more than 3,000 drawings and pieces from the couple's private collection.

Founded

2021

Operated by

Ville de Deauville

Admission & discounts

“Pass journée” ticket. Reduced rate of €13 for Friendciscaines subscribers. Bookings are made only through the online ticketing system, not by phone or email. Payment by cash and bank card; American Express and cheques are not accepted. Performance prices are shown on each event page.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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
• Audio description: no information

The building is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility, with a lift to the upper floors. A wheelchair is lent free of charge against an ID. An information booklet in easy-to-read language is available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

“Little & Teen Franciscaines” programme: wellness visit for 3- to 6-year-olds accompanied by an adult (€10, €5 for subscribers and for 3- to 6-year-olds), Frimousse workshop for 3- to 6-year-olds on Saturdays at 11:00 (€5), creative weeks for 7- to 10-year-olds during school holidays (€10), and guided visits for children aged 7 to 11. The FabLab and the media library also offer activities for young people.

Getting there & parking

From the A13, take the Deauville exit, then head towards the centre; two electric vehicle charging points are on the street opposite. Deauville – Normandie airport is 9 km away.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Le Réfectoire, a tea room and light meal venue with a south-facing terrace, is open from 10:30 to 18:30, with a brunch on Sundays. Consumption is not allowed outside this area. The bookshop-shop is freely accessible during opening hours.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 1,270 guests.

More than 6,000 m² with an equipped auditorium, the cloister, the chapel and three creativity rooms, for events of 10 to 1,270 people. Sales contact: conseilmice@lesfranciscaines.fr, +33 2 61 52 29 20.

Plan your visit