Musée de l'hôtel Sandelin

About the museum

The museum occupies the Hôtel Sandelin, a town mansion in the Louis XV style. Marie-Josèphe Sandelin, Vicomtesse de Fruges, had it built after buying the former residence of the governor in 1766 and having it demolished. The works were completed in 1776–1777. The building then remained in the Sandelin family.

The City of Saint-Omer acquired the building in 1899 to house its museum, which opened in 1904. Part of the building has been listed as a historic monument since 1955, and another part has been registered since 1957.

The museum is now run by the City. The basement presents the history of the town with models and architectural elements. The first floor has paintings from the 16th to the 18th century in furnished rooms, as well as 17th-century Flemish cabinets. On the second floor, around 4,000 pieces of faience and porcelain from Saint-Omer, Lunéville, Rouen and Delft are shown on a rotating basis, and the museum also holds more than 16,000 coins.

Highlights

• Paintings from the 16th to the 18th century in furnished rooms
• Works by Boucher, Nattier, Boilly, Bruegel the Younger and Ribera
• Around 4,000 faience and porcelain pieces from Saint-Omer, Lunéville, Rouen and Delft
• More than 16,000 coins
• Tactile trail with a model, a cast and 3D-printed faience
• Free admission on Sundays, with a guided tour at 15:30

Permanent exhibitions

• Peintures et salles d'époque – Paintings from the 16th to the 18th century in furnished rooms, with 17th-century Flemish cabinets and works by Boucher, Nattier, Boilly, Bruegel the Younger and Ribera.
• Faïences et porcelaines – Around 4,000 pieces of faience and porcelain from Saint-Omer, Lunéville, Rouen and Delft, shown on a rotating basis.
• Histoire de la ville – In the basement, models and architectural elements tell the story of Saint-Omer.

Founded

1904

Operated by

Ville de Saint-Omer

Visitors per year

approx. 17,023

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every Sunday

Free admission also for job seekers and RSA recipients, ICOM members, the Friends of the Saint-Omer Museums, teachers, journalists, tour guides, holders of the Pass Éducation or Passeport Tourisme, and school groups and leisure centres by reservation.

Accessibility

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

Lifts and ramps serve the entrance, the floors and the garden; a bell at the bottom of the entrance ramp lets you call staff. Two wheelchairs and one walker can be lent. Drop-off is possible in the museum courtyard. Tactile offer: a wooden puzzle based on a painting by Bruegel, a resin cast of a 13th-century royal head, and 3D-printed faience with a Braille label. Signage suited to visually impaired visitors and seats near the works for resting.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

“Rendez-vous ‘bouts d'chou’” for 18 months to 5 years with a parent, workshops for ages 5–7 and 8–12, visits and games for the whole family from age 8, the “Shishi” detective game for ages 9–12, and the game “L'amusette”, included with the ticket. Birthday parties from age 6. Changing table on the first floor and bottle warmer on request in the relaxation area.

Getting there & parking

The town takes part in the TER de Culture offer.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop with books, games and other items. A relaxation area offers books, Flemish wooden games, board games and colouring sheets.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit