Musée de Vire Normandie

About the museum

The idea of a museum in Vire emerged in the 19th century, prompted by Arcisse de Caumont, who in 1836 invited local scholars to gather antiquities and give them to the town. The museum opened in 1866 in a few rooms of the town hall. Destroyed in the bombings of June 1944, it was gradually rebuilt thanks to war damage compensation, bequests and gifts.

Since 1956 the collections have been housed in the former Hôtel-Dieu, an 18th-century granite building fitted out by the Augustinian nuns and bought by the town. Between 1972 and 2017 the route focused on folk arts and traditions. The museum closed in November 2017 for a complete renovation and reopened in June 2021.

Today the permanent route presents more than 500 objects over 1,657 m² and follows the history of the area from prehistory to the postwar reconstruction. The museum has held the Musée de France label since 2003 and has belonged since 2023 to the Môm’Art network of joyful museums.

Highlights

• Route from prehistory to the postwar reconstruction with more than 500 objects
• First floor: the transformation of the town, from the Gallo-Roman villa to the reconstruction of the 1950s
• Second floor: the 19th century and residents’ relationship with nature (botanists, textiles, paper, metal)
• Work by the painter and caricaturist Charles Léandre
• Playful and tactile features: material libraries (matériauthèques), colouring map, the little botanist’s cabinet

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours permanent – From the first floor to the second floor, the route follows the transformation of the town from the Gallo-Roman villa to the postwar reconstruction, then the 19th century and residents’ relationship with nature.

Founded

1866

Operated by

Commune de Vire Normandie

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month

The admission price gives access to the permanent route and the temporary exhibition. Free admission also for job seekers and RSA recipients, staff of the Normandy museum network, ICOM members and holders of the tour guide card. Schools and out-of-school groups from Vire Normandie: free; from outside Vire Normandie: a flat fee of €35.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator
• 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 museum is largely suitable for families and people with disabilities. A lift serves both floors; cane-chairs (chaises-cannes) can be borrowed at reception, and seating is placed along the route. Three step-free approaches on foot: the porch (porche), the garden and rue des Augustines.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

The museum has signed the Môm’Art charter of joyful museums. The toilets are child-sized and fitted with a changing table; prams may stay with you during the visit, and a baby carrier can be lent at reception. Each year the temporary exhibition is supplemented with explanations for younger visitors.

Getting there & parking

By car from Paris and Caen: A84, exit 42 Vire, then D577A. From Rennes: A84, exit 37 Villedieu-les-Poêles, then D924 and D524. Bike racks at the main entrance; cycle route La Verdoyante.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check

Reception lounge for a snack or a breastfeeding break; cloakrooms available.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit