Musée de la chimie
Small municipal museum in Jarrie on the history of chemistry and the chemical industry of southern Grenoble, with hands-on experiments for visitors.
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About the museum
The association that founded the museum was set up in 1982 by former employees of the local chemical industry. The museum opened in 1987 in the cellars of the Jouvin family home, glove makers. In 2007 it came under municipal management. After eighteen months of works, it reopened on May 17, 2014, with a new route.
The museum is located in the Clos Jouvin park, in a part of the building that also houses Jarrie's town hall. The park was created around 1880 by the landscape designer Gabriel Luizet.
The route traces the history of chemistry from antiquity, then the development of the chemical industry in southern Grenoble from 1915, until its decline after the first oil shock of 1973. The collections include industrial and laboratory equipment linked to this local history, as well as samples of metal borides prepared in 1929 by Professor Lucien Andrieux.
Visitors can explore on their own, with a guide, or with the Tellnoo audio guide app. Hands-on benches let you build a Volta pile, carry out electrolysis or run a fuel cell, for example.
Highlights
- History of chemistry from antiquity
- Chemical industry of southern Grenoble from 1915
- Hands-on benches: Volta pile, electrolysis, fuel cell
- Metal boride samples from 1929
- Clos Jouvin park surrounding the museum
Permanent exhibition
- Parcours permanent sur la chimie – The route tells the story of chemistry from antiquity and of the chemical industry in southern Grenoble since 1915, with hands-on benches, a video area and a library.
- Founded
- 1987
- Operated by
- Commune de Jarrie
- Director
- Justine Reveyrand
- Visitors per year
- approx. 2,133 (2016)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 24 · Free admission for under-25s. |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree admission for under-25s. |
| Groups (8+ people) | €5 per personGuided tours by appointment from 8 people (adult guided rate: €5). Children's groups range from 5 to 30 people and must book at least 3 weeks in advance. |
| Families | –Family rates apply only to workshops and lectures. |
| Adult guided tour (by appointment) | €5 |
| Adult with Jarrie Pass | €1 |
| Workshop or lecture – adult | €6€4 for residents of Jarrie; €1 with the Jarrie Pass |
| Workshop or lecture – young person | €5€3 for young residents of Jarrie |
| Workshop or lecture – family | €10€7 for families from Jarrie |
Self-guided visit for an adult: €3. Payment in cash or by cheque, according to a tourist information sheet.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
According to the Grenoble tourist office, the museum is wheelchair-accessible with assistance; a reserved parking space is about 10 m away. Animals are not admitted, except guide dogs.
Kids & families
Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 8+
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 24 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
A tourist information sheet recommends the museum from age 8. Workshops for children and families, especially during school holidays, and hands-on benches to experiment with.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Pont de Champ
Express bus Voreppe–Grenoble–Vizille, stop “Pont de Champ”; Flexo 66 bus line from Échirolles station, stop “Le Vernet-Croix” in Jarrie; TER train to Jarrie station.
By car
A disabled parking space is about 10 m from the museum.
- Accessible parking
The museum is located in the Clos Jouvin park, at the town hall's address.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is listed on the Grenoble tourist office's information sheet; the town's website does not mention it. The Clos Jouvin park surrounds the museum.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (FR) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Self-guided visits, guided tours by appointment, or an audio guide via the Tellnoo app. The museum is signposted in French only. According to Wikipedia, a guided tour lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes. Temporary exhibitions, lectures and workshops are offered throughout the year. |
