Maison natale Claude-Debussy
Birthplace of the composer Claude Debussy in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, with a route through his life and an auditorium for concerts.
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About the museum
Claude Debussy was born on August 22, 1862, in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, in an apartment building with a shop on the ground floor, on rue au Pain. His family left the town in 1864. The building has been listed as a historic monument since 1972 for its roofs, courtyard and staircase.
The City of Saint-Germain-en-Laye bought the house in 1980 and opened it to the public in 1990 as an annex of its municipal museum. After renovation and accessibility work, the house reopened on November 23, 2024.
The route is spread over several floors. On the second floor are the Yvonne-Lefébure auditorium and a space on Debussy's youth. The third floor presents the 1904–1918 period and recreates the composer's desk in a display case. Listening stations let visitors hear his music. A documentation center, free of charge by appointment, occupies the fourth floor, and the graphic arts storage the fifth floor. The house also hosts concerts, lectures and school workshops.
Highlights
- House where Claude Debussy was born in 1862
- Route through the composer's youth and the 1904–1918 period
- Debussy's desk, recreated in a display case
- Yvonne-Lefébure auditorium and regular concerts
- Listening stations and documentation center by appointment
Permanent exhibition
- Parcours permanent Claude Debussy – Route through Debussy's youth and the 1904–1918 period, with his desk recreated in a display case and listening stations playing his music.
- Founded
- 1990
- Operated by
- Ville de Saint-Germain-en-Laye (musée municipal Ducastel-Vera)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4ages 12–25, job seekers, recipients of minimum social benefits, large families, people with disabilities and their companion, Pass Culture, Carte royale, the city's senior clubs |
| Children & teens | €4free up to age 11 · Free for children under 12; reduced rate from ages 12 to 25. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €4Reduced rate for the person and their companion. |
| Groups (12+ people) | –Free for groups of 12 adults or more, on prior request to the museum. |
| Themed tour or workshop (full price) | €10Reduced rate €8; free for children's workshops, for children under 12 and in July and August. |
| Personal annual pass | €25Valid for one year for all sites and temporary exhibitions of the municipal museum. |
| Concert of the Debussy season (full price) | €20Reduced rate €15; €5 for children under 12; some concerts are free. |
Free admission: Free for everyone on the first Sunday of every month, during European Heritage Days, National Architecture Days and Museum Night.
The €6 ticket is a combined ticket with the temporary exhibitions at the Espace Paul-et-André-Vera. Also free for members of the Amis du Vieux Saint-Germain, holders of professional cards, the annual pass and the Pass Patrimoine. Online ticketing; checks are no longer accepted.
Accessibility
- Partially 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: no information
- Audio description: no information
A platform lift overcomes the 40 cm step at the entrance, and an elevator serves the rooms. The building is a listed monument, and some doors remain narrow. Drop-off is possible in front of the entrance, but there is no parking. Seats are placed along the route. The Elioz service (French Sign Language, cued speech, transcription) is offered at the birthplace. A partnership with Souffleurs d'images allows blind and partially sighted visitors to be accompanied by a volunteer who describes the spaces.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Saint-Germain-en-Laye (RER A)
RER A to the Saint-Germain-en-Laye terminus, or the town's bus station.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
The house has no parking. Public car parks at the Château and at Les Coches; a city map shows parking and reserved spaces.
By car via the A14, A13, N13 and N184 toward the town center. Rue au Pain is narrow and very busy with buses.
Get directionsAmenities & 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
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | No audioguide is mentioned, but listening stations are located on the second and third floors. An introductory talk or a guided visit precedes the Sunday concerts. The museum offers free guided tours of the collections on the first Saturday of the month. Free concerts by students from the conservatory take place one Saturday a month from 11:30 to 12:30, and a paid concert one Sunday a month (doors at 15:30, concert at 16:00). School workshops from nursery to high school on the theme of Debussy's music. |
