Musée d'Art et d'Histoire Alfred-Douët

About the museum

The museum occupies the Maison consulaire of Saint-Flour, whose construction began in the 14th century. The town’s consuls, the equivalent of mayors, acquired three neighbouring town houses between 1354 and 1462, then commissioned a Renaissance façade around 1530–1550 inspired by the château of Chambord. From 1760 to 1928 the building served as an inn, a printing works and a newspaper office.

In 1928, Alfred Douët (1875–1952), a lawyer, patron, historian and collector born in Saint-Flour, bought the building and fully restored it to house his collections. In 1948 he bequeathed the house and its objects to the Caisse d’Épargne, on condition that it be turned into a museum bearing his name. On his death in 1952, the Caisse d’Épargne inherited the whole holding; the museum opened to the public on May 6, 1968.

In 2002 the Caisse d’Épargne set up a corporate foundation to oversee the museum, which the town of Saint-Flour has managed under an agreement since 1988. A major campaign of works renovated the building and its collections from 2009 to 2015. The museum is a Monument historique and holds the Musée de France label; highlights include the boudoir, the study room, the dining room, the armoury and the tapestry room.

Highlights

• Renaissance façade of the Maison consulaire (around 1530–1550)
• Tapestry room and grand cabinet
• Armoury
• Alfred Douët’s library in the study room
• Inner courtyard, open for self-guided visits

Permanent exhibition

• Collection Alfred Douët dans la Maison consulaire – A visit through a collector’s house: boudoir, study room, dining room, office, armoury, tapestry room, grand cabinet and sideboard room.

Founded

1952

Operated by

Fondation d'entreprise Caisse d'Épargne d'Auvergne et du Limousin ; gestion par la Ville de Saint-Flour

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of each month: opening and events free of charge.

The prices apply to both self-guided and guided visits. Also free for employees of the Caisse d’Épargne Auvergne-Limousin. The inner courtyard can be visited freely.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Patri’mômes holiday activities for children aged 3 to 7 and 8 to 13 (registration at the tourist office on 04 71 60 22 50); visits with activity booklet for school groups.

Getting there & parking

To get there, follow “centre ville historique.”

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A shop area is mentioned on the website.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit