Musée de la voiture à cheval – Au temps des calèches
Musée de France in Bourg in the Citadelle park: 19th-century horse-drawn carriages, a 16th-century souterrain cavalier (underground passage) and oil tanks from 1939 to 1944.
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About the museum
In 1972, Abel Rabotin restored and maintained, at his Clos des Cèdres property in Saint-Seurin-de-Bourg, an important collection of horse-drawn carriages, saddles and harnesses. After his death, the town of Bourg bought this local heritage from his children, with help from the Fonds régional d’acquisition pour les musées. It had a building constructed in the Citadelle park, whose architecture recalls former stables. The museum opened in April 1995; from 1998 the municipal council decided to open new reception spaces.
The park occupies the site of the citadel of Bourg, built from 1590 by the Duke of Épernon and dismantled in 1663. It had enclosed an older feudal castle and an abbey. A Carthusian monastery was built there in the 18th century; it was set on fire by the Germans in August 1944 and rebuilt in 1963. Residents still call the place “la Citadelle”.
The guided tour covers the carriage collection, the 16th-century souterrain cavalier, the guards’ hall from the same period (depending on availability), and the interior of one of the seven reinforced-concrete oil tanks built into the cliff between 1939 and 1944.
Highlights
- 19th-century horse-drawn carriage collection
- Carrousel du Blayais by Gustave Bayol
- Landau by Jules Sezalory and sulphating cart from the Castaing company
- 16th-century souterrain cavalier, remains of the citadel
- Interior of a Second World War oil tank
- Musée de France
Permanent exhibitions
- Collection de voitures hippomobiles – 19th-century horse-drawn carriages, saddles and harnesses, with the Carrousel du Blayais by Gustave Bayol.
- Souterrain cavalier et cuves à pétrole – 16th-century souterrain cavalier and a visit to the interior of one of the seven oil tanks built into the cliff during World War II.
- Founded
- 1995
- Operated by
- Commune de Bourg
- Visitors per year
- approx. 5,504
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3People with reduced mobility and job seekers |
| Children & teens | €2free up to age 9 · €2 for children aged 10 to 15; free for children under 10. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €5 per person€5 per person for 10 to 24 people, €4 for 25 to 49 people, €3 from 50 people. Groups by reservation. |
| Group of 25 to 49 people (per person) | €4 |
| Group of 50 people or more (per person) | €3 |
| School group of fewer than 20 children (flat fee) | €20 |
| School group of more than 20 children (per child) | €1 |
| Visit package in addition to hire of the Citadelle hall | €80 |
The full price covers the museum, the souterrain and the oil tanks.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum is in the heart of the old village, near the church, in the Citadelle park.
Get directionsAmenities & 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
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 75 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tour lasting 1 hour 15 minutes, covering the history of the citadel, presentation of the carriages, descent into the souterrain cavalier and a visit to the interior of an oil tank at the foot of the cliff. Booking recommended. The Citadelle garden is open daily, free of charge. |
