Musée de la Marine de Loire

About the museum

The museum was founded by municipal decision on October 16, 1961, on the initiative of Mayor Claude Lemaître and André Bezançon, under the patronage of the writer Maurice Genevoix. Its first room opened in June 1962 on the mezzanine of the town hall, thanks to loans and donations from private collectors and institutions. The association of Friends of the museum ran it from 1963 to 1984, after which the commune took over management.

In the early 1990s, lack of space and visitors’ needs led to its move into the former stables of Châteauneuf-sur-Loire. Built at the end of the 17th century on the model of the royal stables of Versailles, they have been listed as a historic monument since 1927. A documentation centre had already been operating there since 1985. The architect Philippe Prost was chosen in 1995, after a competition, to restore the building and design the presentation on the boatmen and the life of the river. The stables stand at the entrance to an English-style park laid out between 1821 and 1832.

The collections tell the story of navigation on the Loire and the daily life of its boatmen: objects donated by descendants of riverboat men, models, old tools, faience and furniture. A cast of a barge hull fills the main nave. In 2022, the museum defined its scientific and cultural project for 2022–2025.

Highlights

• 17th-century stables listed as a historic monument
• Cast of a barge hull in the main nave
• Objects and souvenirs of Loire boatmen
• Boat models and old tools
• Nevers and Gien faience linked to river transport
• Children’s visit-workshops during school holidays

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours permanent sur la batellerie de la Loire – Presentation of navigation on the Loire and the daily life of the boatmen, with objects, models and a cast of a barge hull in the nave.

Founded

1961

Operated by

Ville de Châteauneuf-sur-Loire

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Night of the Museums, Rhododendron Festival, European Heritage Days, Saint Nicholas Festival

Free admission for children under 7, schools and leisure centres in Châteauneuf, Friends of the museum, group leaders, donors, and holders of a press card, ICOM card, tour guide licence or tourism professional card for the Loiret department. Reduced rate also for holders of a full-price ticket to the châteaux of Gien, Sully or Chamerolles and to the Résistance museum in Lorris. Guided tour of the collections included in the ticket in July and August.

Accessibility

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

The museum is accessible to people with reduced mobility, except for one room on the mezzanine. It sits at the park entrance, reached by a stabilised sand path. Two wheelchairs and folding seats are available at reception. A Braille guide and magnifiers are offered on telephone reservation. An easy-read visit booklet and a plan are available at reception. Adapted guided tours on request.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Visit-workshops for children aged 6 to 12 every Wednesday during school holidays (14:00 and 15:30), by reservation by phone. Visit booklets adapted to each age. Free admission for children under 7.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at the entrance to the departmental park. A cycling route plan via the Loire à Vélo is available on the museum’s website.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Lockers

Museum shop, with a click-and-collect service by appointment. Lockers in the entrance hall for helmets and small personal items. Bike racks near the entrance.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit