Musée de la vénerie de Senlis
Museum of vénerie (hunting with hounds) in the Logis du Prieuré Saint-Maurice in Senlis, with paintings by Desportes and Oudry; closed for works.
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About the museum
In 1934 the Senlis municipal museum turned to the theme of vénerie, or hunting with hounds, a practice long pursued in the nearby forests of Chantilly, Halatte and Ermenonville. This direction was chosen by its founder, the artist and illustrator Ch.-J. Hallo. The museum, then housed in the chapel of the former convent of the Hôpital de la Charité, opened on October 12, 1935.
From 1958 the museum moved to the grounds of the Château royal, where it gradually occupied the four floors of the Logis du Prieuré Saint-Maurice. This mansion, dating from the early 18th century, was built on the site of the west wing of the priory founded in 1264 by Louis IX. Curator Georges de Lastic oversaw the fitting-out and added major state deposits to the collections, including paintings by Ruthart, Rysbrack, Desportes and Oudry.
The route combines paintings, works of art and the huntsman's attributes (horns, hunting dress, knives) in the atmosphere of a private house. It covers the forest, the hounds, wolf hunting, the imperial hunts, and the hunting parties of the princes of Condé and the Duke of Aumale. The museum is currently closed for works.
Highlights
- Gallery devoted to François Desportes, painter of Louis XIV's hunts
- Chien à la jatte by Oudry
- Seven humorous paintings by Albert Guillaume on hunting with hounds
- Dress of Empress Eugénie and evocation of the imperial hunts
- Hunting parties and hunting dress of the princes of Condé and the Duke of Aumale
Permanent exhibition
- Parcours permanent du musée de la Vénerie – Paintings by Desportes and Oudry, pictures by Albert Guillaume, hunting dress and horns, and evocations of the forest, hounds and wolf hunting, across four floors.
- Founded
- 1935
- Operated by
- Ville de Senlis
- Visitors per year
- approx. 15,823
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4Groups of more than 10 people, seniors over 65, teachers with an Éducation nationale card, and visitors on the Route des musées de Chasse en France with a ticket from a participating museum |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 25 · Free up to and including age 25, on proof. |
| Seniors | €4Reduced rate from age 65, on proof. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free for people with disabilities and their companion, on proof. |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree up to and including age 25. |
| Groups (11+ people) | €4 per personReduced rate for groups of more than 10 people; booking required at least two weeks in advance. A €40 speaking fee applies to groups visiting on their own or with an outside lecturer, except school groups. |
| Guided tour supplement (per person) | €4 |
| Annual pass to the three Senlis museums, full price | €20Reduced rate: €14. |
Free admission: The first Sunday of each month (permanent collections); European Heritage Days, Museum Night and European Archaeology Days (collections and exhibitions)
Free admission also applies to residents of Senlis, recipients of minimum social benefits, members of ICOM and ICOMOS, members of the Senlis museum friends' associations and journalists, on proof. Prices apply to the Musée d’Art et d’Archéologie and the Musée de la Vénerie.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- 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
Visiting the museum requires climbing stairs. Benches are placed along the route. Reserved parking spaces are located near the museum on Place Saint-Maurice.
Kids & families
The museum is closed for works; reopening is planned for the second half of 2026.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
École Notre-Dame / Cinéma
Train to Chantilly-Gouvieux station, then bus 645 to the École Notre-Dame / Cinéma stop; about a 5-minute walk to the town centre. Other options: RER D (Orry-la-Ville, bus 643) or Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (bus 630).
By car
- Accessible parking
From Paris (45 km) or Lille (175 km), motorway A1, exit 8 for Senlis.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The shop is open during the museum's opening days and hours.
Events & venue rental
The museum is closed for works; reopening is planned for the second half of 2026.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The museum can be visited freely. A guided tour can be requested for groups (15 people maximum) with a supplement of €4 per person. |
