Musée de mécanique naturelle
Association-run museum in Giverny devoted to old steam and internal-combustion engines, restored by enthusiasts.
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About the museum
The museum's collection began in 1955, when the Guillemard family of Giverny started gathering steam and internal-combustion engines. Adolphe Guillemard, a threshing contractor and agricultural mechanic, passed on his skills and his love of old machines to his children. Over the years, purchases and donations of engines piled up; they waited for spare parts or for the time needed to restore them.
In 1990, the collection was brought together in the current building as a permanent exhibition. The museum is a loi 1901 association, founded by the three Guillemard brothers – Jean-Pierre, René and Gérard – who look after research, restoration and exhibitions with the help of volunteers. According to the commune, a 28-tonne Carels diesel engine from 1908 is installed here, and in 2003 it reportedly became the largest and oldest diesel engine in operation in the world.
The machines are shown with the uses they had in the past, for example on farms and in mills. Every year the museum also organises an international exhibition of old machines and engines in operation, held on the pré Baudy in Giverny.
Highlights
- Old steam, gas and oil engines
- Restored machines shown in operation
- 1908 Carels diesel engine
- Collection assembled since 1955 by the Guillemard family
- Annual exhibition of old engines on the pré Baudy
Permanent exhibition
- Collection permanente de moteurs anciens – Old steam, gas, oil and diesel engines, restored by the association.
- Founded
- 1990
- Operated by
- Association loi 1901 « Museum de Mécanique Naturelle »
Admission & discounts
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Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Good to know | Each year the museum holds an exhibition of old engines, tractors and vintage cars on the pré Baudy, with demonstrations. |
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