Musée de l'Aventure du Son
Museum in Saint-Fargeau devoted to the history of sound, with more than 1,000 mechanical musical instruments, phonographs and radios.
No sound? Check your device’s silent switch.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Musée de l’Aventure du Son is in Saint-Fargeau, in the Puisaye, in a former 17th-century convent. Its first collection was bequeathed to the commune in 1994 by Armand Nogues, a former mayor and industrialist. The mayor at the time, Pierre Bordier, made the old town hall available to house this collection, which became public, and a first phonograph museum opened in 1995.
In 2000 the Yonne departmental council acquired a collection of phonographs, radios and mechanical musical instruments assembled by Michel Héliez and shown at Lanobre. This purchase was deposited at Saint-Fargeau and formed a public collection that the museum presents as unique in Europe on this theme.
The route traces the evolution of sound through more than 1,000 objects: barrel organs, mechanical pianos, orchestrions, the first recording devices linked to Charles Cros, Thomas Edison, Lioret or Pathé, up to more recent devices. One section is devoted to radio, from Branly’s invention to the present day. Demonstrations of mechanical instruments take place several times a day during opening hours and are included in the ticket.
Highlights
- More than 1,000 mechanical musical instruments, phonographs and radios
- Demonstrations of barrel organs, orchestrions and pianolas
- Early phonographs linked to Cros, Edison, Lioret and Pathé
- Radio collection from Branly’s invention onward
- Audio guide and mystery quest on tablet for children
Permanent exhibition
- Collection d'instruments de musique mécanique, de phonographes et de radios – More than 1,000 objects trace the evolution of sound, from barrel organs and mechanical pianos to the first phonographs and radio.
- Founded
- 1995
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5Pass Musée Puisaye-Forterre, students, people with disabilities, job seekers, large families (from 5 people) and groups (from 10 people), on proof |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 11 · Rate for ages 12 to 16; free for under-12s |
| Visitors with disabilities | €5 |
| Students & apprentices | €5 |
| Groups (10+ people) | €5 per personGroups from 10 people; the group leader is free |
| Families | €5Reduced rate for large families from 5 people |
| Audio guide on tablet (French, English) | €1Free download possible on your own phone |
| Mystery quest on tablet for children (French, English) | €1 |
Free admission is also granted to holders of the press card, the pass éducation nationale, the pass découverte Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, trainees of EMA-CNIFOP and residents of Saint-Fargeau and Septfonds. The Pass culture is accepted. With a full-price ticket, the Pass Musée gives a discount at four other museums in the region.
Accessibility
- 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: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum states that it is accessible to people with reduced mobility and has a lift and toilets.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 11 |
| Family ticket | €5 · Reduced rate for large families from 5 people |
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Playful tour and mystery quest on digital tablet for the youngest, in French and English.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Spaces around the museum (Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, Place du Monument aux Morts, behind the town hall). Motorhome parking 5 minutes’ walk away, in front of the barn. Two electric vehicle charging points next to the museum.
Saint-Fargeau is in the Puisaye, west of Burgundy, about 1 hr 45 min from Paris.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Restaurants, bakeries and shops in the centre of Saint-Fargeau.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Audio guide | yes (FR, EN) |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Stated duration about 1 hr 30 min including the mechanical music demonstration, which is included in the ticket. The audio guide is available on tablet. |
