Musée Lansyer

About the museum

Emmanuel Lansyer (1835–1893), a landscape painter trained under Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, Gustave Courbet and then Henri Harpignies, was recognised during his lifetime: he became an official painter in 1866, received the Légion d'honneur in 1881 and sat on the jury of the Salon des artistes français. He is buried in Loches. In keeping with his wishes, the museum opened its doors in his former home in 1902.

The bequest to the Town of Loches comprises the house, its furnishings and more than 6,000 objects: nearly 500 paintings, around 2,000 prints by masters such as Piranesi and Canaletto, over 1,000 Japanese objects, numerous photographs and the painter's personal belongings.

On the first floor, in the atmosphere of a 19th-century house, the paintings present the landscapes the artist loved. Upstairs, the route traces the life of a painter of his time, from his training as an architect to his stays by the sea in Brittany, as well as his life as a collector. The garden, redesigned after a watercolour by Lansyer, leads to the terrace of the Porte royale, which offers a wide view over the town. The museum holds the “Musée de France” label and the “Maison des Illustres” label.

Highlights

• Nearly 500 landscape paintings by Emmanuel Lansyer
• Collection of over 1,000 Japanese objects
• Prints by masters such as Piranesi and Canaletto
• Discovery room for families
• The painter's garden and the Porte royale terrace

Permanent exhibition

• Les paysages d'Emmanuel Lansyer – The route presents the painter's landscape paintings on the first floor and the life of a 19th-century artist upstairs, with a graphic arts cabinet devoted to his photographs.

Founded

1902

Operated by

Ville de Loches

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission Wednesday to Sunday according to the Town of Loches website (2026 season).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

The museum's spaces are not accessible to wheelchair users. A disabled parking space is located in the car park at the castle entrance, about 30 metres away. The first floor offers large-print texts for visually impaired visitors and easy-to-read texts (FALC). In every room, sensory installations help visitors approach the works. Only guide dogs and assistance dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

A discovery room, devoted entirely to families, offers playful and educational materials to help understand the works, the techniques and Lansyer's life. The rooms feature sensory installations and hands-on activities for adults and children. In the garden, a rotating frame invites visitors to choose their own landscape.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check

No food service on site: visitors can eat nearby or bring a picnic. Museum shop and left-luggage facility.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit