Musée Barbey-d'Aurevilly

About the museum

After Jules Barbey d’Aurevilly died in 1889, his secretary Louise Read inherited his papers and personal memorabilia. In the early 1920s, unable to keep them in Paris, she gave them to the town of Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte. A first museum was set up in 1925 in an outbuilding of the château, and the writer’s remains were brought back to his native town in 1926.

The fighting of 1944 destroyed almost all of the collections. A second museum opened in 1956 in the Logis Robessart, using the few objects that had been saved. In 1989, for the centenary of the writer’s death, it moved to the Barbey family home, which the commune had acquired: first to the second floor, then, after 2008 – the bicentenary of the writer’s birth – to the whole house.

The museum displays manuscripts, letters, first editions, portraits, photographs and personal objects. A route devoted to the man occupies the second floor, while the exhibition “Barbey contre son temps” explores the political and intellectual world of the 19th century on the first floor. The museum received the “Maisons des Illustres” label in 2011 and is part of the town’s cultural centre, together with the media library and the medieval castle.

Highlights

• The writer’s family home, now a museum
• Manuscripts, autograph letters and first editions
• Portraits, photographs and personal memorabilia of Barbey d’Aurevilly
• “Barbey contre son temps” exhibition on the 19th century
• Documentary film about the author
• Museum garden and a trail of Barbey sites in the town

Permanent exhibitions

• Barbey contre son temps – Exhibition on the first floor on the political and intellectual world of the 19th century, seen through the writer’s eyes.
• Le parcours consacré à l'écrivain – Second floor of the family home, with manuscripts, portraits, first editions and personal memorabilia of Barbey d’Aurevilly.

Founded

1925

Operated by

Commune de Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte (Pôle culturel)

Admission & discounts

Free on proof of status for: under-18s, students, people with disabilities, holders of the Spot50 or Pass Accueil Normandie, members of the Réseau des Musées de Normandie, the Friends of the Museum association or ICOM, and staff of the Ministry of Culture and tourist offices. Payment by cheque or cash only; no bank cards. Tickets are also available online through the Office de tourisme du Cotentin website.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• 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

Entrance is through the glass door under the porch, where toilets are also available. The second floor is not accessible to people with reduced mobility.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Colouring corner, activity booklet, memory game and spot-the-difference game for children; workshops (calligraphy, bookmarks, watercolour) and a treasure hunt offered during the year.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the town centre.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop with a bookshop (works by the writer, specialist books, children’s books) as well as postcards, bookmarks, notebooks, posters and magnets. Picnic tables in the garden behind the building. Animals are not allowed in the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit