Maison-musée du Haut-Verdon

About the museum

Since 2003, the association Maison Musée et Forts Vauban du Haut-Verdon has been collecting and studying the cultural heritage of the upper Verdon valley, both tangible and intangible: objects, clothing, tools, practices and know-how of a mid-mountain valley. The museum opened with a few rooms; it now covers more than 1,000 m², spanning the house and 500 meters of rampart walk.

The townhouse was built at the end of the 17th century. On the second floor it presents religious art, the beginnings of tourism in the Haut-Verdon and a classroom from the Jules Ferry era; on the third floor, a reconstructed bourgeois interior from the early 20th century. On either side of the salon, the house opens onto the Colmars rampart walk, with ten exhibition towers: the west wing is devoted to the military history of the town, from medieval fortifications to the Second World War, and the east wing to traditional trades and living heritage.

The collections include more than 10,000 objects dating before 1950, from the late 14th century to the second half of the 20th century, 95% of which are on display. A small garden dedicated to the apothecary Jean Saurin, born around 1647, presents medicinal plants from the time of Louis XIV during the warm season.

Highlights

• 17th-century townhouse with reconstructed interior
• 500 m rampart walk with ten exhibition towers
• More than 10,000 objects from the late 14th to the 20th century
• Garden of the apothecary Jean Saurin
• Guided tours in costume by reservation

Permanent exhibitions

• La maison bourgeoise – Religious art, the beginnings of tourism in the Haut-Verdon, a school from the past and a bourgeois interior from the early 20th century.
• Le chemin de ronde de Colmars – Ten exhibition towers on the town’s military history and on traditional trades.
• Le jardin de l'apothicaire Jean Saurin – Small garden of medicinal plants used in the time of Louis XIV, open in the warm season.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Association Maison Musée et Forts Vauban du Haut-Verdon

Admission & discounts

Dogs are not admitted. According to the regional tourist information sheet, payment is by check or cash.

Accessibility

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

According to the regional tourist information sheet, the museum is not wheelchair-accessible. Animals are not admitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

The route includes, among other things, a child’s bedroom and a classroom from the past. The regional tourist information sheet presents the visit as suitable for both young and old.

Getting there & parking

The Maison Musée is on Place Neuve, inside the ramparts. The rampart walk is reached through the house. Fort de Savoie is reached on foot from Colmars via the Caponnière de Savoie.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

According to the regional tourist information sheet, there is a shop and toilets.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit