Musée de l'automobile de Valençay
Museum of more than sixty vehicles in running order, from 1898 to the present day, assembled by the Guignard family near the Château de Valençay.
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About the museum
The museum grew out of a garage founded in 1906 in Vatan by Camille Guignard, who repaired and maintained cars and rented them out with a driver. He kept there the vehicles and objects related to his trade, which formed the starting point of the collection. In 1949, Camille and his brother André took over the family business and added new cars to the collection.
The Musée Automobile du Centre opened to the public in 1964 in the former Guignard garage in Vatan. In 1981, the collection, which had grown, was moved to a former riding hall of the Château de Valençay. Since 2001 it has been displayed in a building on avenue de la Résistance, a few steps from the château.
Today the museum exhibits about sixty vehicles from 1898 to the present day, all kept in working order, as well as fire engines, motorcycles, bicycles, garage signs and mechanical parts, across 1,600 square meters. It is managed by the Communauté de communes Écueillé-Valençay.
Highlights
- More than sixty vehicles from 1898 to the present day, all in running order
- A 1936 Bugatti, one of the few known examples
- A 1908 Delaunay-Belleville requisitioned during the Battle of the Marne in 1914
- The story of the 1967 Croisière Rouge, from the North Cape to Paris, with cars from before 1910
- Vintage fire engines, motorcycles, bicycles and garage signs
- Founded
- 1964
- Operated by
- Communauté de communes Écueillé-Valençay
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6.50Students, job seekers, teachers with the Pass éducation, holders of a disability card |
| Children & teens | €5.50free up to age 6 · Youth rate for ages 7 to 17; free for children under 7. |
| Students & apprentices | €6.50Reduced rate |
| Groups (15+ people) | €6 per personAdult groups; school groups: €4 per child from 10 children, accompanying adults free. |
| Families | €222 adults and 2 young people |
| Rate for residents of the Communauté de communes Écueillé-Valençay (upon proof of address) | €4 |
| Preferential rate (first Sunday of the month from 10:00 to 12:30, 1 May gathering, European Heritage Days) | €5 |
A combined pass with the Château de Valençay is available; a preferential rate applies at the second site visited upon presentation of the museum ticket. A reduced rate may be granted upon proof from one of the museum's partners.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum states that it is fully accessible to visitors with reduced mobility and holds the Tourisme & Handicap label. Dogs are admitted on a leash.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 75 min |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
| Family ticket | €22 · 2 adults and 2 young people |
Getting there & parking
By car
Free parking
About 50 free parking spaces nearby, open access during opening hours, not supervised; the car park closes at 18:00.
The museum is a few steps from the Château de Valençay.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Video screening room.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Audio guide | yes |
|---|---|
| Photography | Photography is allowed in the museum; visitors can also have their picture taken aboard a vehicle from the collection. |
| Good to know | The Wivisites app accompanies the visit. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Groups can be booked through the online ticket office. |
