Maison de l'élevage et du Charolais

About the museum

The Maison de l’élevage et du Charolais opened on August 7, 1999. It is the fourth themed house in the Écomusée du Morvan network, which is federated and coordinated by the Morvan Regional Natural Park. It is located in Moulins-Engilbert, in the Nièvre department.

The permanent exhibition tells the story of the development of the Charolais cow from 1800 to the present day. This breed, originating in the Arconce valley in Saône-et-Loire, adapted to the demanding soils of the Morvan and turned the region into livestock country. The route also shows how the “tout charolais” (all-Charolais) approach accompanied the shift from subsistence agriculture to a market economy and opened the Morvan to exchanges with other regions and countries.

The museum also follows the evolution of the breeder-producer’s trade, which improved the quality of the breed by adapting traditional know-how. Part of the exhibition deals with the end of the breeding of the red Morvan breed in favor of the Charolais; one area presents today’s agriculture, including traceability, new forms of livestock farming and sales channels. In July and August, a guided tour links the museum with the Marché au Cadran livestock market in Moulins-Engilbert.

Highlights

• History of the Charolais breed from 1800 to the present day
• Trade of the breeder-producer and traditional know-how
• The shift from the red Morvan breed to the Charolais
• Guided tour combined with the Marché au Cadran in summer

Permanent exhibition

• Exposition permanente sur l’élevage et la race charolaise – History of the Charolais cow from 1800 to the present day, of the breeder-producer’s trade and of livestock farming in the Morvan today.

Founded

1999

Admission & discounts

Payment by cash or check. Online reservations are not possible.

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
• Audio description: no information

The museum is presented as accessible to people with reduced mobility. Free visitor booklets in easy-to-read French (FALC, “facile à lire et à comprendre”) are also available on the Handivisites app; staff are trained to welcome visitors with disabilities. The museum received the Qualité Tourisme label in 2024.

Kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Visit materials for children in French.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located at 4 rue de la Mission, in Moulins-Engilbert.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop and toilets on site (according to the Tourisme Parc du Morvan listing).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit