Maison du Charolais

About the museum

The Maison du Charolais grew out of a project launched in 1992 by the Saône-et-Loire département together with meat-industry professionals, the chambers of commerce and many partners. The idea was to create a centre promoting Charolais beef, anchored in its home region, the Charolais-Brionnais. The association “Institut Charolais” was founded in December 1995 to carry the project and its funding.

The firm Chambaud-Chanal designed the building, and the Dijon firm Anne José Hilaire created the scenography. A scientific council under the direction of the director of the Dijon Natural History Museum, Gérard Ferrière, drew up the exhibition scenario. The site opened to the public in August 1999 and was inaugurated on November 13 of the same year.

Today the site comprises a visit area with three rooms, a tasting space, a shop selling regional products and the La Table restaurant in Charolles. The visit explains cattle breeding, the bocage landscape, geology and the work of farmers, and ends with a viewpoint over the hills. The Institut Charolais, next door, supports the sector through research, promotion and innovation.

Highlights

• Audioguided route through three rooms: from grass to plate, breeding and terroir
• Viewing platform at the top of the tower overlooking the bocage
• Tasting of Charolais beef and sausage with a glass of red wine
• Family adventure trail with a games bag (from age 7)
• Cooking workshops for children
• La Table restaurant and shop with Charolais products

Permanent exhibition

• Espace découverte de la race charolaise – Three rooms on grass to plate, cattle breeding and terroir, complemented by a viewpoint over the Charolais bocage.

Founded

1999

Visitors per year

approx. 10,429 (2011)

Admission & discounts

2026 prices. Visits every day without a reservation, except for groups.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

Lift, disabled parking and air-conditioned spaces. Audioguides in English and German, and in audio description.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

The family adventure trail (from age 7, about 2 hours, from March 21 to October 4) comes with a bag of about fifteen games, including touch boxes and a blind tasting. The site also offers children’s cooking workshops, a children’s toilet, a high chair at the restaurant and a picnic room for school groups in case of bad weather.

Getting there & parking

Access via the Centre Europe Atlantique road (N79), exit 12; from Paris via the A77 (Nevers exit) then the N79, or via the A6 (Mâcon Sud exit) then the N79; from Lyon via the A6 (Mâcon Sud exit) then the N79.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

La Table restaurant (booking recommended at +33 3 85 24 00 46), shop with Charolais products and online shop, outdoor terraces and picnic tables.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Media library room for fewer than 20 people, a 100 m² conference room for up to 120 people, and exhibition halls for more than 120 people; tasting space with breakfast, aperitifs and activities by reservation.

Plan your visit