Musée de Trouville - villa Montebello

About the museum

Villa Montebello was built in 1865 by the architect Jean-Louis Célinsky de Zaremba for the Countess of Montebello, widow of a son of Marshal Lannes. Its historicist style reflects the taste of the aristocracy who came to spend the summer on the coast in the 19th century. After the Countess’s death in 1877, the villa was little used, before regaining life in the Belle Époque.

Placed under sequestration in 1915 and sold at auction in 1921, the villa was bought in 1939 by the commune of Trouville-sur-Mer, which was mainly interested in its park. During the Second World War, the German army requisitioned it to set up a radio post and a firing post. After the war, the building housed a school; in 1987 it was listed as a monument historique.

The museum’s first rooms opened on the first floor in 1972. The collections include paintings, posters, lithographs, drawings, manuscripts, objects and clothing. They tell the story of the birth of sea bathing and the development of holiday life on the Côte Fleurie, and present works by painters from the 19th and 20th centuries as well as poster artists, including Raymond Savignac, Trouvillais by adoption.

Highlights

• Room devoted to the history of sea bathing
• André Hambourg Room
• “Trouville vue par les peintres” Room
• Posters by Raymond Savignac, Trouvillais by adoption
• 1865 villa listed as a historic monument

Permanent exhibition

• Collections permanentes – A room on the history of sea bathing, the André Hambourg Room and the “Trouville vue par les peintres” Room, with paintings, posters and drawings.

Founded

1972

Operated by

Ville de Trouville-sur-Mer

Admission & discounts

Free admission: European Museum Night and European Heritage Days

Admission gives access to the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions. The reduced rate also applies to anyone who cannot access a floor of the museum, holders of a ticket for the Le Havre–Trouville-sur-Mer ferry crossing (on the day of the crossing), paying visitors to the Franciscaines in Deauville, holders of the PASS FRIENDCISCAINES and members of the CNAS. A full-price ticket for the museum or the Franciscaines entitles the holder to the reduced rate at the other venue. Free admission with proof for Friends of the Museum, museum staff (AGCCPF, ICOM, carte culture, muséopass cards), members of the Maison des Artistes, exhibited artists and lenders.

Accessibility

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

The reduced rate applies to visitors who cannot access a floor of the museum. No other accessibility information is published.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

The museum holds the Famille Plus label. The Ateliers Montebello, in the museum garden, offer “L’atelier des petites mains” (ages 4–6, Saturday mornings during term time), the Atelier Isabey (ages 7–9) and the Atelier Mozin (ages 10–13) on Wednesdays, as well as “Un samedi en famille” (parent and child) one Saturday a month. Birthday afternoons are offered for up to 12 children, booked one month in advance.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & 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