Musée Champollion

About the museum

The museum is housed in a manor house in Vif, near Grenoble, that belonged to the Champollion family. The estate dates back to the 17th century. After a purchase in 1710, it took on much of the appearance we know today. In 1778 Pierre Berriat acquired it, and it passed to his daughter Zoé, wife of Jacques-Joseph Champollion. Jacques-Joseph's younger brother Jean-François, the future decipherer of hieroglyphs, often stayed there during his studies in Grenoble.

The property remained in the family into the 20th century. It was listed as a historic monument in 1994, and the Isère Département bought it in 2001. A first museum opened in Vif from September 5, 2004 to September 19, 2005, on the occasion of an international Egyptology congress in Grenoble; the project then stalled for a long time.

The project resumed in 2016. Restoration and extension work began at the end of 2018, and the museum reopened to the public on June 5, 2021. It has held the Musée de France label since 2020.

The permanent route is organized over three levels. The ground floor evokes the family and youth of the two brothers, the second floor presents the work that led to the decipherment, and the third floor retraces the rediscovery of Egypt and the birth of Egyptology. The garden, orchard and park complete the visit.

Highlights

• Family home of the brothers Jacques-Joseph and Jean-François Champollion
• Decipherment study, Champollion's bedroom and personal objects
• Route on the birth of Egyptology
• Garden and park in the spirit of the 19th century
• Puzzle booklets and workshops for children

Permanent exhibition

• Les frères Champollion, aux origines de l'égyptologie – The route follows the lives of the two brothers, the work that led to the decipherment of hieroglyphs and the birth of Egyptology, with the decipherment study and Champollion's bedroom.

Founded

2004

Operated by

Département de l'Isère

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the museum is free for everyone.

Accessibility

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

Two parking spaces for people with reduced mobility are located at the museum entrance. The museum is fully accessible to strollers. Guided tours in French Sign Language are possible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Two puzzle booklets are available free at reception: the one from the departmental museums for ages 5 to 12, and “Sur les pas des Champollion” for ages 7 to 12. During school holidays, introductory workshops on hieroglyphs and copying antiquities are offered from age 7. Shows for children and families are also organized. For safety capacity reasons, one stroller per group is recommended, and a baby changing table is available in the restrooms.

Getting there & parking

From the A51 motorway, take exit 12 (Vif), then follow the direction of Sisteron and the museum signs. The museum entrance is at 1 rue du Portail Rouge.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A shop is located in the outbuildings. The park can be used for picnicking during the museum's lunch break.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit