Musée archéologique du lac de Paladru

About the museum

The Paladru Lake Archaeological Museum, the MALP, tells the story of more than a century of research on the shores and under the waters of Lake Paladru. For centuries, the legend of the sunken city of Ars circulated: stakes emerged at low water and objects came up in fishermen’s nets. From the late 19th century, researchers explored the shores; in 1903 the medieval site of Colletière was identified, then the Neolithic site of Les Baigneurs, dated to the 1920s. From 1972 the lake became a testing ground for underwater archaeology, with excavations of the Neolithic site until 1986 and of the medieval site until 2009.

The museum presents about 600 remarkable objects from these excavations, well preserved by the water: tools, weapons, building remains, everyday and prestige objects. It places two major periods side by side. Around 2700 BC, two small farming communities settled one after the other on a lake beach. In 1007, a village of peasants and mounted warriors was founded on the marshy peninsula of Colletière, at the request of a local lord, around the year 1000. The route also explains underwater excavation techniques and methods for conserving organic objects.

The building, near the lake, is the work of Basalt architecture and A-Team; its low form and rust-coloured metal cladding evoke the medieval dugout canoe (pirogue) found underwater. After around two and a half years of renovation work, the museum reopened on June 7, 2022. It holds the “Musée de France” label and belongs to the Pays Voironnais urban community.

Highlights

• About 600 objects from underwater excavations
• Neolithic (around 2700 BC) and year-1000 villages
• Medieval shoes and spoons preserved by the water
• Underwater excavation techniques and object conservation
• Viewing terrace facing the lake
• Interactive tables and hands-on displays at child height

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours permanent : le lac, du Néolithique à l’an mil – About 600 objects from underwater excavations, a film narrated by the lake, and walkways on the history of underwater digs.

Operated by

Communauté d’agglomération du Pays Voironnais

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of every month and events labelled by the Ministry of Culture

Also free for tour guides, ICOM members, holders of the Culture card or an Éducation nationale card, and, by reservation, for schools, leisure centres and social or health institutions. Tickets online or on site; payment by cash, cheque or bank card.

Accessibility

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

The museum is listed as accessible to people with disabilities, with no further detail; a reserved parking space is signposted. Transcript of the audio guide in French and English for hard-of-hearing visitors. Only assistance dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Free supports for the youngest visitors available at reception, tactile panels, an interactive game table and models at child height. Regular programme: storytelling at the museum, Wednesday visits, family workshops and family guided tours. Baby changing area.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the village of Paladru, about 45 minutes from Grenoble and Chambéry, 1 hour from Lyon and about 1 hour 15 minutes from Valence.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Lockers

Bookshop, lockers, relaxation area, drinking fountain. Picnic area with tables nearby; restaurants, accommodation and a beach in the vicinity.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit