Musée Comtadin du Cycle

About the museum

The Musée Comtadin du Cycle was born in 2006 from the wish of three cycle tourists passionate about fine bicycles and mechanics. They founded the association that runs it, with help from the mayor of Pernes-les-Fontaines at the time. Other enthusiasts joined them to restore, renovate and track down old bicycles. The town is also the birthplace of Paul de Vivie, known as Vélocio (1853–1930), regarded as the apostle of cycle touring and inventor of gear-changing systems.

The museum occupies a listed building on Place de la Juiverie: four exhibition rooms and a reading and video room on the ground floor, a double room on the first floor and four rooms on the top floor. It presents more than 150 years of cycling history, from Pierre Michaux's 1869 velocipede to the latest all-carbon time-trial bike, as well as the history of racing bicycles from the 1885 Fageot onward and machines from brands that have won the Tour de France.

The museum also displays touring bikes from major manufacturers and tandems, including the tandem associated with the 1936 paid holidays. A temporary exhibition is presented each year, and an educational trail is offered to children and adults alike.

Highlights

• More than 150 years of cycling history, from the 1869 velocipede to the carbon bike
• Racing bikes from major brands and touring bikes from leading manufacturers
• Tandem associated with the 1936 paid holidays
• Tribute to Paul de Vivie (Vélocio), born in Pernes-les-Fontaines
• Free admission during opening hours

Permanent exhibition

• Collection permanente du vélocipède au vélo carbone – More than 150 years of cycling history across four rooms on the first floor, two on the second floor and four on the top floor.

Founded

2006

Operated by

Association Musée Comtadin du Cycle

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

During opening days and hours, admission to the museum is free.

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

The museum occupies a listed building that is not fully accessible to people with reduced mobility: only three exhibition rooms on the first floor are accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

The museum announces an educational trail about the bicycle for young and old alike.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

Booklets about the museum and about Paul de Vivie are on sale at the entrance.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit