Musée dauphinois

About the museum

The Musée dauphinois was founded in Grenoble in 1906 by Hippolyte Müller, who conceived it as a popular museum reflecting the customs and daily life of a regional population through objects.

Since 1968 it has occupied the former Sainte-Marie-d'en-Haut convent, built in the 17th century for the Order of the Visitation on the slopes of the Bastille. The site includes the terraced gardens, listed as historic monuments and redeveloped in 2024, and the Baroque chapel.

After a period of transformation in the 1970s and 1980s, marked by an ecomuseum approach, the museum came under the authority of the Isère Department in 1992. It explores archaeology, the history of the Alps, rural and industrial heritage, and also contemporary issues.

Each year, two or three temporary exhibitions accompany the flagship exhibition “Alpins. 7000 ans d'histoires”, opened in 2023, which traces how the people of the Alps have adapted to their environment. Admission to the museum is free.

Highlights

• Flagship exhibition “Alpins. 7000 ans d'histoires”
• Former Sainte-Marie-d'en-Haut convent and its Baroque chapel
• Listed terraced gardens with a view over the city
• Playful route for children with animated films and hands-on activities
• Free admission all year round

Permanent exhibition

• Alpins. 7000 ans d'histoires – Flagship exhibition on the Alpine mountains and their inhabitants, with an animated relief map, animated films and digital text panels, fully bilingual French–English.

Founded

1906

Operated by

Département de l'Isère

Visitors per year

approx. 107,398

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free for everyone all year round. Certain activities (guided tours, workshops) are paid.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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
• Audio description: no information

The museum elevator can be used with the assistance of a staff member. Some areas are not wheelchair-accessible; information is available at the front desk on 04 57 58 89 01. The gardens are accessible to visitors with reduced mobility. A visitor booklet in FALC (Facile à lire et à comprendre, easy-to-read French) is available free of charge at the front desk.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

The exhibition “Alpins. 7000 ans d'histoires” was designed for young audiences, with mascots, animated films, hands-on activities and a quiz (“Incoll'Alpes”), available free of charge at the front desk. A reading corner invites families to take a quiet break.

Getting there & parking

Pedestrian access via the Place de la Cymaise (lion fountain), then up the Montée de Chalemont. Tour coaches cannot drive up to the museum. Car access is disrupted, especially during flea markets along the quays; arriving on foot is recommended.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check: not available
• Lockers: not available

Bags and objects cannot be checked in; access to the lockers is prohibited. Bags are visually inspected at the front desk (Vigipirate plan), and large bags or suitcases are not permitted.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit