Musée de l'illustration jeunesse
Departmental museum in Moulins dedicated to children’s and young people’s illustration, housed in an 18th-century mansion.
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About the museum
The museum occupies a mansion in the centre of Moulins, whose earliest foundations date from the 15th century and whose construction was completed around 1750 for the Cadier de Veauce family. A neo-Gothic wing linking the medieval tower to the main building was added in 1858, and parts of the building are listed as historic monuments.
In the 19th century, the building housed the Desrosiers printing works. From 1940 to 1944, the German occupation forces set up their Kommandantur there. The Conseil général de l’Allier bought it in 1948 and housed administrative departments there, which gradually left from the 1970s onwards.
After major renovation work, the site opened to the public in 2005 under the name Centre de l’illustration, since renamed the Musée de l’illustration jeunesse. The museum holds nearly 14,000 books published from the 1860s to the present day, as well as a collection of more than 7,500 original drawings and illustrations. It offers temporary exhibitions, workshops, artist residencies and a Grand Prix de l’illustration.
Highlights
- Nearly 14,000 books of children’s illustration, from the 1860s to today
- More than 7,500 original graphic works
- Masson collection: more than 300 titles of the Bibliothèque rose illustrée
- Lombardini collection: 1,300 illustrated books for young readers
- 18th-century mansion with a medieval tower
- Founded
- 2005
- Operated by
- Département de l'Allier
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for children under 18, both on self-guided visits and guided tours. |
| Groups (8+ people) | –Reduced rate for adult groups of 8 or more. School groups: €1 per pupil on a self-guided visit, €3 per pupil for a visit with a mediator, €5 per pupil for a visit followed by a workshop; accompanying adults free. |
| Guided visit, full price | €9Free for children under 18. |
| Guided visit, reduced rate | €7 |
| Self-guided visit outside temporary exhibition periods, reduced rate | €4 |
Self-guided visit: €6 full price, €4 reduced. The conditions for the reduced rate are not detailed on the museum’s website.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
The museum offers family guided tours, artists’ workshops for children and parent-child yoga sessions during the holidays. The “MIJ en poche” exploration bag, with playing cards and discovery materials, is lent free of charge at reception to families with children aged 4 and over. The museum also welcomes groups of very young children.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Family guided tours of the temporary exhibition and commented visits with the exhibition curator are offered on fixed dates; booking by phone is recommended. Groups of 8 people or more can book a guided tour or a self-guided visit. For school groups, booking is mandatory, including for self-guided visits. |
