Musée de l’Avallonnais Jean Després
Free-admission municipal museum in Avallon: local archaeology, paintings, the goldsmith work of Jean Després and a collection of Yao objects.
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About the museum
The museum was founded in 1862 by the Société d'études d'Avallon, a group of local scholars and collectors. It was first housed in the Tour de l'Horloge, then in 1912 moved to the Hôtel de Gouvenain on the Place des Odebert. Since 1971 it has occupied the former Collège of the town, in the historic quarter, with an entrance from the courtyard and one from the garden. It has held the “Musée de France” label since 2002, and the name of the goldsmith Jean Després was added to its title in 2017.
The archaeology collections trace the history of the Avallon area from the Palaeolithic to the Middle Ages. The fine arts rooms present paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures, including works by Pierre Vigoureux, Isidore Pils and Georges Rouault. One space is devoted to Jean Després, a 20th-century goldsmith whose jewelry and tableware draw on Modernism and Art Deco.
The museum also holds a collection of objects, costumes, jewelry and elements of Taoism from the Yao, a minority from Southeast Asia and southern China, recognized for its quality and importance.
Highlights
- Archaeology of the Avallon area, from prehistory to the Middle Ages
- Jewelry and tableware by the goldsmith Jean Després
- Collection of Yao objects and costumes
- Paintings by Isidore Pils and Georges Rouault
- Free admission for self-guided visits
Permanent exhibitions
- Archéologie du pays d'Avallon – Objects from local history, from the Palaeolithic to the Middle Ages.
- Jean Després – Jewelry and tableware by a 20th-century goldsmith, between Modernism and Art Deco.
- Yao Mien et Mun – Objects, costumes, jewelry and elements of Yao Taoism.
- Founded
- 1862
- Operated by
- Ville d'Avallon
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Children & teens | –Self-guided visits free of charge for everyone; guided tours free for children under 12. |
|---|---|
| Guided tour, adult | €5 |
| Guided tour, adult in a group of 10 or more or resident of the municipal campsite | €4 |
| Guided tour, student, person with reduced mobility, job seeker or RSA recipient | €3On presentation of proof. |
| Guided tour, ages 12 to 18 | €1.50On presentation of proof. |
Free admission for self-guided visits. The prices above apply to guided tours only.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- 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 garden entrance (Impasse du Collège) is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility; only the rooms on the first floor are accessible to them.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Activity booklets and online games for young visitors; workshops and tours adapted to school groups.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Place des Odebert · 5-min walk
Free Citéo shuttle, stop “Place des Odebert”; the SNCF station and the bus station are about a 15-minute walk away.
By car
Free parking · 50 m to the entrance
Free parking: Saint-Lazare, about 50 m away, and Rue du Collège, about 30 m away (steps lead to the garden).
Two entrances: 5 rue du Collège (courtyard side) and Impasse du Collège, Jardin Jacques Schiever (garden side). Free bicycle parking in the Jardin Jacques Schiever.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Reception and museum shop on the first floor.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Paid guided tours and group visits by reservation by email. Schools and school groups have tours of 20 minutes to 1 hour and workshops (pottery, calligraphy, grid transfer (mise au carreau)), from kindergarten to sixth form. |
