Musée de la Corse

About the museum

The Musée de la Corse opened in June 1997 to house the ethnographic collection assembled by Father Louis Doazan (1925–2018), which was deposited by the State. In 2020 this collection was transferred to the Collectivité de Corse, which owns it. The museum defines itself as a society museum.

It is housed in the citadel of Corte, the only Corsican citadel built inland. Its castle dates from 1419; French troops built the citadel from 1769. The permanent collections occupy the Sérurier barracks, built from 1853 to 1887 on the site of a former district. The building served as a military hospital, as a place of detention for political prisoners and then as a barracks, occupied by the Foreign Legion from 1952 to 1963.

In 1990 the Region of Corsica launched an international architectural competition, which was won by Andrea Bruno, a specialist in the restoration of old buildings. He combined the renovation of a neoclassical building with a contemporary structure to create a site museum.

The route includes two permanent galleries: the Doazan Gallery, devoted to the way travellers and ethnologists viewed rural traditional Corsica, and the gallery of the “museum in the making”, which deals with Corsica today. Temporary exhibitions complement the visit each year. The original holdings have been enriched with paintings, graphic arts, old photographs, a library of historic holdings and sound archives.

Highlights

• Doazan Gallery: around 3,000 objects from traditional Corsica
• Gallery of the “museum in the making” on Corsica today
• Citadel of Corte (15th–18th centuries), accessible with the ticket
• Architecture by Andrea Bruno in the former Sérurier barracks
• Augmented reality trail in the citadel

Permanent exhibitions

• Galerie Doazan – Gallery on the way travellers and ethnologists have viewed rural traditional Corsica, with the collection of some 3,000 objects assembled by Father Doazan.
• Galerie du « musée en train de se faire » – Gallery on Corsica today: attempts at industrialisation, the growth of tourism and the search for identity.

Founded

1997

Operated by

Collectivité de Corse

Admission & discounts

The ticket gives access to the permanent collections, the temporary exhibition and the citadel site. It is bought on site and gives access on the same day. Free admission also for job seekers, under-25s living in Corsica, guides with their card, teachers, holders of the ICOM-ICOMOS card, heritage professionals, the Amis des musées de Corse and staff of the Collectivité de Corse.

Accessibility

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

Animals are not allowed in the museum, except guide dogs for the blind and assistance dogs accompanying people with motor or mental disabilities. Admission is free for people with disabilities and their companion.

Kids & families

A reduced rate applies to families of at least 4 people. Accompanied visits and workshops for 6- to 11-year-olds are reserved for school groups. Each year a learning space for young visitors complements the temporary exhibition.

Getting there & parking

By road, the museum gives: Bastia–Corte (T20) 1 hour, Calvi–Corte (T30 and T20) 1 hour 30 minutes, Ajaccio–Corte (T20) 1 hour 30 minutes, Porto-Vecchio–Corte (T10 and T50) 2 hours, Bonifacio–Corte (T10 and T50) 2 hours 45 minutes, Propriano–Corte (T20 and T40) 2 hours 45 minutes.

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