Musée d'histoire urbaine et sociale de Suresnes

About the museum

From 1890, local scholars began gathering the first collections of Suresnes. In 1926 the mayor, Henri Sellier, decided to create a municipal museum, entrusted to the town's Historical and Artistic Society. In 1953 the society handed the museum over to the commune, which reorganized it and gave it its current name. The museum now holds the Musée de France label.

Renovation work began in 1997. In June 2013 the museum reopened in the former Suresnes-Longchamp railway station, a building inaugurated in 1889 for the Universal Exhibition. The station was restored and extended with a contemporary addition designed by the architecture firm Encore Heureux Architectes.

The permanent circuit occupies two levels. It traces the town's history, from wine-growing village to industrial town, then presents social housing, the figure of Henri Sellier and the urban project of the garden cities of Île-de-France. It also explores interwar social policy, with education, hygiene and celebrations, and the open-air school. Models with projections, interactive and scent stations, films and multimedia displays accompany the objects.

The museum holds more than 11,000 works. It also offers a documentation center, a heritage apartment furnished as it was in the 1930s in the garden city, and walking routes around the town.

Highlights

• Interwar social urbanism
• Suresnes garden cities and open-air school
• Henri Sellier and the idea of Greater Paris
• Models, interactive and scent stations
• Heritage apartment in the garden city

Permanent exhibition

• Collections permanentes – Two-level circuit on the history of Suresnes, social housing, Henri Sellier, garden cities and the open-air school, with models, films and interactive stations.

Founded

1926

Operated by

Ville de Suresnes

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of each month.

The admission price covers the permanent collections and the temporary exhibition. Also free, upon proof: members of the Pass Patrimoine, museum professionals, ICOM members, journalists, teachers and job seekers. The museum has joined the Pass Patrimoine.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

The museum holds the Tourisme & Handicap label. The exhibition spaces, reception, ticket office, adapted toilets and shop are accessible; the upper floor is served by an elevator. A wheelchair and five walking sticks with seats are lent at reception. An induction loop serves reception, the ticket office and the shop. Easy-to-read plan and visit booklet, large-print booklets, tactile and sensory tools, ear defenders, and adapted tours on request. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are admitted upon proof. A reserved parking space is located in the museum car park. A few obstacles: heavy drawers in the temporary exhibition, a central pillar on the first floor, and a wrought-iron staircase railing. The quietest time slots are Thursday and Friday from 14:00 to 16:00.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Workshops and storytelling sessions around the collections on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons, family workshops and online games. Birthday parties take place on Saturdays from 14:30 to 16:00. Age groups are not specified.

Getting there & parking

Nine bicycle racks in front of the museum, with a pump nearby.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop with books related to the exhibitions, postcards, merchandise, teas and biscuits.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

The museum can be rented for seminars, receptions and private events.

Plan your visit