Musée Baron-Martin
Musée de France housed in an 18th-century château in Gray, with paintings, sculpture, archaeology and decorative arts.
No sound? Check your device’s silent switch.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
During the Revolution, residents of Gray rescued paintings, sculptures, books and manuscripts from churches, religious communities and the homes of émigré nobles. These holdings formed the basis of the town’s library and museum. In the 19th century the museum became independent in the 1860s and focused on fine arts and archaeology.
In 1901 the town of Gray bought the château overlooking the Saône, and the museum opened there on October 25, 1903. In 1913 it took the name Baron Martin, in honour of the château’s former owner, a mayor of the town. The old attics were converted into a large gallery in 1914, and the medieval cellars became an archaeology section between 1964 and 1974.
The museum holds more than 475 paintings, over 530 graphic works and more than 130 sculptures, as well as about 400 objects and pieces of furniture, more than 3,000 coins and medals, and archaeological pieces, including a 4th-century sarcophagus. It owes much to donors such as Edmond Pigalle or Jules Maciet and, since 1935, to gifts from the association of Friends of the Museum.
Highlights
- “La Dame à l'ombrelle” by James Tissot
- “Le Galant colporteur” by François Boucher
- Apremont sarcophagus in the château’s cellars
- 18th-century château and park listed as monuments historiques
- Collections of paintings, sculpture, decorative arts and coins
Permanent exhibitions
- Collections de beaux-arts – Paintings, sculptures and graphic works, including works by James Tissot and François Boucher, displayed on the château’s ground floor.
- Espace archéologique – In the château’s cellars, archaeological objects from the region, including the pagan Apremont sarcophagus.
- Founded
- 1903
- Operated by
- Ville de Gray
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6.50Over 60, large families, residents of Gray, teachers, job seekers, recipients of minimum social benefits, adults in training, holders of the Cezam card or the CCAS of Gray card, and visitors arriving half an hour before closing (with proof) |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 11 · Special rate of €3 for ages 12 to 25; free for under-12s. |
| Seniors | €6.50Reduced rate from age 60, with proof. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €3Special rate with proof. |
| Students & apprentices | –Free for students of fine arts, art history, archaeology or visual arts; special rate of €3 for ages 12 to 25. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €6.50 per personGroup rate for 10 or more people. School groups and leisure centres from outside Gray: €3 per person; free for school groups from Gray and accompanying adults. |
| Families | –Reduced rate for large families. |
| Guided tour supplement | €1.50Added to the standard or reduced rate. |
| Workshop or lecture organised by the museum | €2.50 |
Free admission: First Sunday of the month, except May to October (permanent collections only); European Museum Night; European Heritage Days.
A special rate of €3 also applies to the Friends of the Museum and of the Library of Gray. Also free for holders of a valid ICOM card, Carte Avantages Jeunes or Museum Pass Musées. The temporary exhibition is never free.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: not available
- 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
Only the ground floor, where the permanent collections are shown, is wheelchair accessible; the upper floor (temporary exhibition) and the archaeology area in the basement can only be reached by stairs.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 11 |
|---|
The children’s activities described are aimed at school classes, including two prehistory and Antiquity visits for CE1.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bus lines of the Viamobigo network; the museum’s website refers visitors to viamobigo.fr to find a line.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours are possible for groups, for an extra fee. The museum offers school classes several guided routes of one to one-and-a-half hours (19th century, Belle Époque, Renaissance, illuminated manuscripts, Antiquity, prehistory), some with a visitor booklet. |
