Musée de la Figurine

About the museum

The museum grew out of two bequests to the City of Compiègne: that of Arthur de Marsy in 1901, consisting of polychrome wooden soldiers by Jean-Baptiste Clémence (late 18th century), and that of Alfred Ternisien in 1927, which includes several thousand figurines representing the armies of history. In 1931, the immense diorama of the Battle of Waterloo by Charles Laurent joined the collection, which then numbered nearly 30,000 figurines and was housed in the town hall.

An exhibition organised in 1948 by the Société des collectionneurs de figurines historiques encouraged the creation of a permanent museum, which came into being the following year. In 1977, the City decided to move it to the former Hôtel de la Cloche, adjoining the town hall, and entrusted its restructuring to Abbé Robert Ducoin, a renowned figurine expert. Inaugurated in 1984, it became the first major museum dedicated to historical figurines; it holds nearly 155,000 pieces, of which about 45,000 were on display.

The museum reopened in 2026 in another location in the town, the former officers' mess of the Staff College, across 1,000 m² that have been entirely redesigned. The project received support from the European Regional Development Fund and the French Ministry of Culture. The route tells the story of the figurine through its uses, its manufacturing techniques and the imaginary worlds it inspires, with dioramas, a figurine maker's workshop and a figurine library.

Highlights

• Collection of nearly 155,000 historical figurines
• Large dioramas, including the Battle of Waterloo
• Figurine maker's workshop and figurine library with touch-sensitive devices
• Augmented reality headsets on the Battle of Waterloo
• Museum fully accessible on one level in the former officers' mess

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours permanent du musée de la Figurine – Dioramas, 3D figurines, the figurine maker's workshop, the figurine library and sequences on fashions and lives, from the Battle of Waterloo to imaginary worlds.

Founded

1949

Operated by

Ville de Compiègne

Visitors per year

approx. 9,923

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of each month (free for everyone) and during national events

Also free, with proof, for job seekers, recipients of social minima, teachers (Pass Éducation), members of ICOM and ICOMOS, tour guides, journalists, Friends of the Museums and members of the Société historique de Compiègne.

Accessibility

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

All spaces are on one level. Public lift from the disabled parking space in Rue Othenin; a second space in front of the façade (please call the museum). Wheelchair available free of charge on request, adapted toilets with baby changing table, display cases at eye level, step stools available. Panel texts in audio version on the museums' website, touch-sensitive devices, induction loops at reception, films subtitled in French, English and German, pictograms and a children's route in easy French. Application for the “Tourisme & Handicap” label in progress.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Children's route with texts in easy French, augmented reality headsets in children's sizes, collections at child height, guided tours and workshops led by mediators. Free admission for under-26s.

Getting there & parking

The four sites of the Compiègne museums are close to one another, a few minutes' walk apart. Accessible by bicycle (Accueil Vélo).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Museum shop. Cloakroom marked with a pictogram.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit