Musée du Mont-Blanc

About the museum

The museum’s history begins in 1898, when collector Joseph Cusin-Berlincourt founded the Alpine museum in Chamonix. In 1920 he gave the commune 72 items from his collection, and in July 1926 the first municipal museum opened in a room of the town hall. The commune took over management in 2001, the museum received the “Musée de France” label two years later, and since 2010 it has been run by the Communauté de communes de la vallée de Chamonix.

In 1969 the museum moved into the ground floor and mezzanine of the west wing of the former Chamonix Palace, a luxury hotel completed in 1914 and converted into apartments in 1959. After five years of closure and works from 2024 to 2026, it reopened on July 11, 2026 as the Musée du Mont-Blanc, a century after the first museum was created.

The exhibition area grew from 600 to 1,800 m², with accessibility improvements and thermal renovation. The permanent display is organized around three themes: Adaptations (the history of the area), Exploits (mountaineering) and Landscapes (artists’ views). The collection comprises around 18,000 items, from the late 18th century to the early 21st century. There is also a temporary exhibition space, a new reception area with a shop and an educational space.

Highlights

• Three permanent sections: Adaptations, Exploits, Landscapes
• About 18,000 items from the late 18th century to the present day
• Exhibition space extended to 1,800 m²
• Building of the former Chamonix Palace, completed in 1914
• Family guided tours and workshops during school holidays

Permanent exhibitions

• Adaptations : histoire du territoire du Mont-Blanc – A first space on the history of the valley, its human occupation and its changes.
• Exploits : l'alpinisme sur le territoire du Mont-Blanc – The story of mountaineering around Mont Blanc, told through objects and accounts.
• Paysages : regards d’artistes sur le territoire du Mont-Blanc – Paintings, prints and posters showing how the landscape and its image have evolved since the 18th century.

Founded

1926

Operated by

Communauté de communes de la vallée de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

Visitors per year

approx. 40,960

Admission & discounts

Prices shown for the period July 11 to December 31, 2026. There is no specific rate for the “carte d’hôte”. Payment by bank card or cash.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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: no information
• Audio description: no information

The 2024–2026 renovation included making the building accessible. Reception staff are trained to welcome visitors with disabilities.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

During school holidays, family workshops and activities take place on Wednesdays at 10:15 (for example “Couleurs nature” from age 5 and “Prête-moi tes yeux” from age 7), lasting 2 hours, with the admission rate plus the activity rate per child. Register by text message at 07 60 04 15 84 until 18:00 the day before.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in central Chamonix, at an altitude of 1,040 m, in the building called La Résidence.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A new reception area with a shop was built during the renovation.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit