Musée des nourrices et des enfants de l'Assistance publique
Morvan museum devoted to the children of the Assistance publique placed in the region and to the women who went to work as wet nurses in the cities.
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About the museum
The museum opened in 2016 in the centre of Alligny-en-Morvan, in the Morvan Regional Nature Park. It is the seventh theme house of the Morvan Ecomuseum and now belongs to the communauté de communes Morvan Sommets et Grands Lacs. Its contemporary building was designed by the Correia studio.
The subject is typical of the region: from the late 18th century, tens of thousands of children entrusted to the Assistance publique, mainly from Paris, were placed with families in the Morvan. Until the First World War, many women from the Morvan also went to the cities as wet nurses “sur lieu” to wealthy families, while others stayed at home as wet nurses “sur place”.
The route evokes a village: visitors pass from house to house, among archives, objects, testimonies and multimedia displays. The place is also conceived as a space of memory, with a resource centre for genealogical research and the study of child welfare policies. The building also houses a café-library, a bookshop-boutique and three guest rooms.
Highlights
- History of the Assistance publique children placed in the Morvan
- Route laid out as a village, house by house
- Testimonies and multimedia displays
- Café-library with crêperie and bookshop-boutique
- Three guest rooms in the museum
Permanent exhibition
- Enfants et nourrices du Morvan : une histoire partagée – Village-style route following the children of the Assistance publique, the wet nurses who stayed in the Morvan and those who went to the cities.
- Founded
- 2016
- Operated by
- Communauté de communes Morvan Sommets et Grands Lacs (équipement intercommunal, réseau de l'écomusée du Morvan)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3.50Members of the Friends of the Museum association, wards and former wards of the Assistance publique, holders of a ticket for one of the sites of the “Clé des musées”, large family cards (Famille nombreuse), people under 18, students, job seekers, recipients of social minimum benefits, CNAS members. |
| Children & teens | €3.50free up to age 7 · Free for children under 8; reduced rate from 8 to 17 years. |
| Students & apprentices | €3.50Reduced rate. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €3.50 per personSelf-guided visit from 10 people. |
| Families | –The reduced rate applies to large families. |
| Guided group tour (per person, on quote) | €8Above 20 people, the group is split in two. |
| Activity booklet for 5- to 10-year-olds | €2.50Available at the museum. |
Individual rates for the 2026 season.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 7 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Activity booklet for 5- to 10-year-olds to complete during the visit or at home. Free admission for children under 8.
Getting there & parking
The museum is in the centre of Alligny-en-Morvan. From Paris (260 km): A6, exit 22 Avallon–Saulieu. From Lyon (240 km): A6, exit 25 Chalon Nord, Autun. From Dijon (85 km): A38, exit Pouilly-en-Auxois.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
Café-library open during museum hours, with free Wi-Fi and crêperie (reservation recommended). Bookshop-boutique with regional products, books and games. Three guest rooms from March to November.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Self-guided or guided visit; the mediator prepares tailor-made tours, themed workshops and meetings for groups and school classes. Visit guide in PDF on the museum website. |
