Musée d'Histoire et d'Art de Bormes-les-Mimosas (MHAB)

About the museum

The idea of a municipal museum emerged in 1926 following a major exhibition by artists who came to paint in Bormes, including Henri-Edmond Cross, Théo Van Rysselberghe and Jean Peské. The collections grew through donations from artists, then from 1982 onward with a curator appointed by the commune and an acquisition policy focused on the visual arts and local history. In 1985 the museum moved to 103 rue Carnot and took the name Musée Arts et Histoire; it opened on July 8, 1985. It has carried the Musée de France designation since 2002.

The building, which dates back to the 17th century, was a private house, a town hall and a school before becoming a museum. A major renovation program, launched around 2020, opened all five levels of the building to visitors, with a panoramic terrace and a garden.

The museum, now known as the MHAB, offers a permanent augmented-reality route designed with the company Histovery. A touchscreen tablet, the HistoPad, brings 2,400 years of history to life in fifteen stations, from the ancient oppidum to the presidents' stays at the Fort de Brégançon. The fine-arts holdings include works by Charles Cazin, Henri-Edmond Cross and Emmanuel-Charles Bénézit, complemented by a local archaeological and ethnographic collection.

Highlights

• Augmented-reality route with the HistoPad and treasure hunt
• 2,400 years of history in Bormes, from antiquity to the presidents of the Republic
• Fine-arts collection: Cazin, Cross, Bénézit, Van Rysselberghe
• Panoramic terrace overlooking the plain and the coast
• Museum garden

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours permanent en réalité augmentée – A journey through 2,400 years of Bormes history with the HistoPad, in three rooms: from the early village to the lordships, from the 18th to the 20th century, and from 1944 to today.

Founded

1926

Operated by

Ville de Bormes-les-Mimosas

Admission & discounts

Free admission: The first Sunday of each month.

The ticket covers the permanent exhibition with HistoPad rental, the temporary exhibition, all five levels and the garden. Payment methods: cash, checks, bank card, Chèques-Vacances; the museum is listed on the Pass Culture app. An Amusez-vous offer is available at the tourist offices of Bormes-les-Mimosas.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• 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 has five levels without an elevator. For people who have difficulty getting around, the reception team can arrange for the full HistoPad content to be accessed from the ground floor. Visually impaired visitors can use their own wired earphones to follow the visit as audio.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

The HistoPad includes a treasure hunt for children aged 7 and over. Workshops and mediation sessions take place every month. For birthdays, a visit with a treasure hunt and a workshop (€8 per person, ages 7 to 10, 8 to 14 participants) or an escape game (from age 10) are offered.

Getting there & parking

By car from Toulon or Nice: A8 and A57 towards Toulon/Hyères, then RD98 to Bormes-les-Mimosas and, at Le Pin de Bormes, D41 up to the village.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 80 guests.

Spaces: a 53 m² main hall (8 m ceiling height), exhibition rooms, a panoramic terrace of about 60 m², a garden with a covered area, vaulted rooms and a refreshment bar. Capacity of 30 to 80 people.

Plan your visit