Musée d'Archéologie et d'Histoire locale de Denain
Free museum in the former town hall of Denain: early medieval archaeology, a Viking sword, mining and the poet Jules Mousseron.
No sound? Check your device’s silent switch.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Musée d'Archéologie et d'Histoire locale de Denain is housed in the town’s former town hall, a neoclassical building dating from around 1850 with a monumental double-flight staircase from 1891. The museum states on its welcome material that it has existed since 1947; other sources point to an earlier foundation in 1939 at the initiative of the Mutuelle artistique de Denain. The collections were scattered during the Second World War, then regrouped and enriched through gifts.
The route traces the history of the area from prehistory to the industrial age. It presents an important early medieval archaeological ensemble, with brooches, buckles, pottery and Merovingian beads, as well as a very rare Viking sword found during excavations for the large-gauge canal. This object testifies to Norse raids in the Scheldt valley in the 9th century.
The museum also tells the industrial history of Denain, with documents and objects on mining and steelmaking. One room is devoted to the miner-poet Jules Mousseron, with a reconstruction of his office and a hologram. The same building also houses the museum of the Resistance in the zone interdite (the forbidden zone).
Highlights
- Early medieval archaeological collection with Merovingian objects
- Very rare Viking sword found during canal works
- History of mining and steelmaking in Denain
- Room devoted to the miner-poet Jules Mousseron, with a hologram
- Former town hall with a monumental staircase from 1891
- Founded
- 1947
- Operated by
- Ville de Denain
- Visitors per year
- approx. 5,000
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
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
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Group visits (up to 15 people) outside opening hours by reservation. |
|---|
