Musée Bertrand

About the museum

The museum occupies a classical-style town mansion built in the 1770s. The plans were drawn up by Martin Boucher, the king's first engineer and grandfather of General Henri-Gatien Bertrand, Grand Marshal of the Palace to Napoleon, who followed him into exile on Saint Helena. After Bertrand's death the mansion remained a private residence. The city of Châteauroux bought it in 1901 to house a general, and from 1917 to 1919 it briefly served as a military hospital.

The painter Just Veillat had proposed a museum as early as 1863. The municipal museum first opened in the town hall, but soon ran out of space. In 1921, around the centenary of Napoleon's death, the Bertrand mansion became the museum and received the municipal collections. The building has been listed as a historic monument since 1944. The museum holds the “Musée de France” label.

The collections cover twenty centuries of art and history: Gallo-Roman and Egyptian archaeology, objects relating to Napoleon and his exile, Flemish, Dutch and French paintings, modern and contemporary works, arts of the Berry region and a reconstructed cabinet of curiosities. Among the best-known pieces are the original plaster of Camille Claudel's Sakountala and a Gothic reliquary.

Highlights

• Sakountala by Camille Claudel, original plaster
• Napoleonic memorabilia from his exile on Saint Helena
• Gallo-Roman statues and funerary stelae, Coptic mummy from the Fayum
• Gothic reliquary
• Flemish and Dutch paintings
• Terraced garden with a view over the Indre valley

Permanent exhibitions

• Archéologie et arts anciens – Gallo-Roman statues and funerary stelae, a Coptic mummy from the Fayum and a Gothic reliquary.
• Souvenirs napoléoniens – Objects relating to Napoleon's exile on Saint Helena, including a sabre from Aboukir and a death mask.
• Beaux-arts – Original plaster of Camille Claudel's Sakountala, Flemish, Dutch and French paintings, and contemporary abstract works.

Founded

1921

Operated by

Châteauroux Métropole

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the museum and to the temporary exhibitions is free. Activities (workshops, theme tours, lectures, games) may have their own price.

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

Only the first floor is accessible to wheelchair users. A virtual visit has been announced. Visitors with special needs are advised to contact the museum in advance.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop open during museum hours, with decorative objects, souvenirs, games for children and art history books.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit