Musée de la Gendarmerie nationale de Melun

About the museum

The Musée de la Gendarmerie nationale was founded in 1946, moved into a larger building in 1969 and officially opened in 1978. Faced with ever-growing collections, it closed in 2007 for a major project to remove, inventory and reconcile the objects.

A protocol signed in 2005 between the Ministry of Defence, the Melun Val de Seine urban community and the City of Melun provided for a new museum. The architectural firm Moatti & Rivière was chosen in 2010; the works, entirely financed by the urban community, converted a building of the École des officiers de la gendarmerie nationale. The museum reopened on October 10, 2015. The Haut Conseil des musées de France had awarded it the “Musée de France” label on January 14, 2011.

The permanent exhibition spreads over two levels and presents the missions of the gendarmerie, daily life and the means used. On the first floor you will find the medal cabinet, the shop and the temporary exhibitions. The museum also has a meeting room for colloquia and a resource centre with a documentary collection and photo library. Around 2,000 of 30,000 objects are on display, including a very large suspended display case. The route also covers famous cases such as the Bande à Bonnot or the Affaire Dominici.

Highlights

• 18 m suspended display case, one of the largest in Europe
• Uniforms, weapons, vehicles and headgear of the gendarmerie
• Famous cases: Bande à Bonnot, Affaire Dominici
• Medal cabinet
• Multimedia route with soundscapes

Permanent exhibition

• Exposition permanente du musée de la Gendarmerie nationale – Two-level route on the missions, daily life and means of the gendarmerie, from the Middle Ages to today.

Founded

1946

Operated by

Gendarmerie nationale (ministère de l’Intérieur)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of every month

Ticket valid for the whole day. Free admission with proof for, among others, job seekers, recipients of minimum social benefits, teachers, journalists, ICOM members, active or retired military personnel, and gendarmerie and national police staff. With the Balad’Pass 77 card, one free entry for one full-price ticket purchased. Prices valid as of October 13, 2025.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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

Holds the “Tourisme et Handicap” label for physical, sensory, cognitive, mental and psychological disabilities. Three step-free levels connected by a lift, wide spaces, an access ramp from the forecourt, free manual wheelchairs and seat-canes, adapted reception and toilets, contrasting step edges and tactile paving. Braille discovery guide with 15 objects for blind visitors; guided tours adapted for cognitive and psychological disabilities. Pets are not admitted, except guide dogs and assistance dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

The museum presents itself as a place for young and old alike, with multimedia and sound features. The “Familles nombreuses” card entitles holders to the reduced rate.

Getting there & parking

By car: A6, exit N104 towards A5 / Troyes / Marne-la-Vallée / Sénart-Melun, or via the Francilienne (N104) or the A5 towards Melun / Montereau-Fault-Yonne.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop of about 70 m² with around 330 items (books and souvenirs).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Spaces can be rented for events; requests via the form on the website. The museum has a meeting room for colloquia and lectures.

Plan your visit