Musée Chintreuil
Museum in Pont-de-Vaux devoted to the landscape painter Antoine Chintreuil, the painters of the Ain, General Joubert and a cabinet of curiosities.
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About the museum
The museum is housed in a 17th-century mansion that also houses Pont-de-Vaux town hall. Its first project dates from 1866: the municipal council then launched a subscription to create a museum of famous men born in the town. The portrait gallery, with twenty-one figures from different periods and backgrounds, keeps the memory of this idea.
The main collection is devoted to Antoine Chintreuil, a landscape painter born in Pont-de-Vaux in 1814. He led a difficult life and gained fame only after his death; critics and artists such as Émile Zola and Odilon Redon praised his work. Alongside his canvases are works by regional painters: Jules Migonney, Firmin-Girard, Fonville father and son, Louis-René Boulanger and Louis Jourdan. The Dombes, the Reyssouze and the Bresse feature prominently in their paintings.
One room honours General Joubert, born in Pont-de-Vaux and known for the Battle of Rivoli. The cabinet of curiosities brings together natural objects (minerals, shells, taxidermied animals) and man-made objects (jewellery, weapons, rare books). The museum holds the “Musée de France” label.
Highlights
- Paintings by Antoine Chintreuil, 19th-century landscape painter
- Painters of the Ain: Migonney, Firmin-Girard, Fonville, Boulanger, Jourdan
- Room dedicated to General Joubert
- Portrait gallery of twenty-one famous men of the town
- Cabinet of curiosities with taxidermied animals and objects from distant lands
- Treasure trails and escape game for children
Permanent exhibitions
- Antoine Chintreuil et les peintres de l'Ain – The landscapes of Antoine Chintreuil, shown together with paintings by regional artists depicting the Dombes, the Reyssouze and the Bresse.
- Galerie de portraits et général Joubert – A reception room with twenty-one portraits of famous men from Pont-de-Vaux and a room dedicated to General Joubert.
- Cabinet de curiosités – A room of minerals, shells, taxidermied animals and objects from distant lands.
- Visitors per year
- approx. 6,444 (2013)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Groups of 10 or more and members of museum friends' associations |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 25 · Free admission for under-26s. |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree for under-26s. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €3 per personReduced rate from 10 people; tailor-made group visits, quote on request. |
| Guided tour “La p'tite histoire du musée” (from age 3) | €5 |
| Detective tour “Visite-enquête” (from age 8) | €5 |
| Escape game, per group (booking 48 hours in advance) | €30 |
| Family workshop during the holidays | €10Per workshop. |
| “Little artists” workshop (Wednesday afternoons during term time) | €60Per term. |
| School class, half day (2 workshops) | €160 |
| School class, full day (4 workshops) | €300 |
Free admission: First Sunday of every month, Museum Night and European Heritage Days.
Admission is also free for job seekers and members of the association “Curiosités, les amis du Musée Chintreuil”. The museum recommends the Pass'Découvertes for visiting the Ain and its museums.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 25 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Free treasure-trail booklet, escape game, guided tours for children from age 3, family workshops during the holidays, and “little artists” workshops on Wednesdays (drawing, painting, modelling, manga, street art) for children.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
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 for families and groups, including a detective visit “Visite-enquête”. Tailor-made group visits. Classes, from preschool to high school, can come for a half or full day, with workshops adapted to the level and the teacher's project. Booking by phone or email. |
