Musée de Tessé

About the museum

The Musée de Tessé grew out of Le Mans’s first museum, which opened as early as 1799, making it one of France’s oldest museums. It is now run by the City of Le Mans and sits near the Cité Plantagenêt, in the park of the former estate of the Tessé family, whose collections formed the basis of the museum.

The tour of paintings and sculptures illustrates the major currents of Western art: Italian Primitives, Caravaggisti, 17th-century French classicists, Flemish and Dutch artists, 19th-century landscapes and history paintings, as well as contemporary art. A special place is given to the Roman comique series, commissioned around 1720 by the Marshal de Tessé from Pierre-Denis Martin for his château at Vernie.

The basement houses an Egyptian gallery, one of the museum’s hallmarks. Renovated in 2018, it offers life-size tomb reconstructions, complemented by regular temporary exhibitions on ancient Egypt. Entry to the museum is free for everyone.

Highlights

• Egyptian gallery with life-size tomb reconstructions
• Roman comique series by Pierre-Denis Martin, commissioned by the Marshal de Tessé
• Italian Primitives, Caravaggisti and 17th-century French classicists
• Flemish and Dutch painters
• Audio guides in French and English, with a children’s version

Permanent exhibitions

• Collection de peintures et de sculptures – French, Italian, Flemish and Dutch works from the 14th to the 21st century, including the Roman comique series.
• Galerie égyptienne – Life-size tomb reconstructions and objects from ancient Egypt, in a space renovated in 2018.

Founded

1799

Operated by

Ville du Mans

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free for everyone, including temporary exhibitions and with the audio guide. Only the activities (guided tours, workshops) are paid.

Accessibility

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

All spaces are accessible to visitors with reduced mobility, with lifts, platform lifts and adapted toilets. The reception is equipped with a magnetic induction loop for hearing-aid users. Tours in French Sign Language, descriptive or touch tours, tactile devices, and booklets in Braille and large print are offered, sometimes by reservation. Easy-to-read booklets and two sensory mediation devices are available. For group visits, the number of wheelchairs is limited.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

The visitor services team organises visits and creative workshops for all ages. The Egyptian gallery audio guide also exists in a children’s version. Entry is free.

Getting there & parking

The museum is near the Cité Plantagenêt, on the edge of the Parc de Tessé. Le Mans SNCF station is about 3 km away.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Museum shop and free cloakroom.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit