Musée de l'histoire du Perche
Museum of Perche history in the castle of the Counts of Perche, from the Middle Ages to the Revolution, with a medieval garden and an augmented reality visit.
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About the museum
The castle of the Counts of Perche overlooks the Huisne valley. A 10th-century fortress gave way in the 11th century to a powerful rectangular keep surrounded by a deep ditch, and later to a circular enclosure reinforced by seven round towers. During the Hundred Years' War the keep was burned in 1428 by the Englishman Salisbury. In the Renaissance the entrance towers were raised and the main building was remodelled; in 1624 the castle passed to Sully, who had a small Louis XIII-style residence fitted out.
Turned into a prison during the Revolution, the castle began its revival in 1843. It has belonged to the town since 1950 and is listed as a historic monument.
The Perche history museum occupies the third floor of the Renaissance main building. It traces the history of the castle, of the town of Nogent-le-Rotrou and of the Perche from the Middle Ages to the French Revolution, and presents the Rotrou family, lords of Nogent and counts of Perche, the Bourbon-Condé princes and the Duke of Sully. A second space features artists from Nogent-le-Rotrou and elsewhere who made the Perche known in France and abroad. In the outer courtyard, an interpretive medieval and Renaissance garden displays food, aromatic, medicinal, dye, textile and ornamental plants.
Highlights
- Castle of the Counts of Perche with an 11th-century keep
- History of the Perche from the Middle Ages to the Revolution, on the third floor of the Renaissance building
- Space devoted to artists from Nogent-le-Rotrou
- Medieval and Renaissance garden in the outer courtyard
- Visit with an augmented and virtual reality headset or tablet
Permanent exhibitions
- Musée de l'histoire du Perche – A route from the Middle Ages to the French Revolution on the history of the castle, of Nogent-le-Rotrou and of the Perche, with a space devoted to artists from the region.
- Jardin médiéval – Interpretive medieval and Renaissance garden in the outer courtyard, with food, aromatic, medicinal, dye, textile and ornamental plants.
- Operated by
- Ville de Nogent-le-Rotrou
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
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| Reduced | €4Members of the Fédération des Amis du Perche, SNCF employees and holders of the SNCF day ticket (Loisirys agreements), job seekers, recipients of the RSA and minimum social benefits, students, large families, people with disabilities, ATD Quart Monde activists |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 6 · Rate for ages 7 to 18 |
| Visitors with disabilities | €4Reduced rate |
| Students & apprentices | €4Reduced rate |
| Groups (10+ people) | €4 per personAdult groups of 10 or more; children's groups: €2.50 per child |
| Families | –Reduced rate for large families |
| Children's group (from 10 people) | €2.50 |
| Adult loyalty card (1 year, unlimited visits) | €11.50 |
| Adult, special event | €7 |
| Child, special event | €5.50 |
| Rental of a tablet or headset | €2.50 |
Free admission: The first Sunday of each month
Visit with an augmented and virtual reality tablet or headset available as an extra charge.
Accessibility
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Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
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- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Three “discovery trails” in the form of games, crosswords and riddles are handed out free of charge to children aged 7 to 13, with a knight's diploma at the end of the visit. An educational service is offered to school classes.
Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | The museum and castle can be visited with an augmented and virtual reality headset or tablet (rental €2.50). A virtual online visit is also available. |
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