Musée Vivant Denon

About the museum

In 1821 Chalon-sur-Saône founded one of France’s first free drawing schools. It was housed in part of the former Ursuline convent (1627) and still keeps works for artistic teaching. In 1866 the merchant and town councillor Jules Chevrier secured the creation of a museum devoted to local heritage; he became its first curator. In 1895 the museum was named after Vivant Denon, in honour of the town’s famous native son.

In 1957 the town extended the museum with the former girls’ school in rue Boichot, to take in donations and archaeological finds. In the 1970s, curator Louis Bonnamour carried out underwater research in the Saône that was unprecedented in Europe, greatly enriching the archaeology section.

The museum now holds more than 25,000 archaeological objects and 11,000 sculptures, graphic works and ethnographic objects, covering 100,000 years of history. The Denon collection brings together more than six hundred drawings, prints, paintings and printed works relating to the life and work of Dominique-Vivant Denon, born in Chalon-sur-Saône in 1747 and the first director of the Louvre.

Highlights

• Archaeology of the Saône valley from prehistory to today, including finds from the river
• Dominique-Vivant Denon collection: drawings, prints and paintings
• Paintings and sculpture from the 16th to the 20th century
• Cabinet of graphic art and woodcuts from Chalon
• Ethnology collections of the Saône and Burgundian furniture
• Free admission

Permanent exhibitions

• Fonds Dominique-Vivant Denon – Permanent room devoted to Denon: drawings, prints and paintings linked to his life, from his travels in Italy and Egypt to his career under the Empire.
• Archéologie de la Saône – Objects found in the Saône and its surroundings, from prehistory to the medieval period, including finds from underwater excavations.
• Peinture du XIXe siècle – Paintings by academic painters and by artists from Chalon, including Étienne Raffort, Antonin Richard and Philibert-Léon Couturier.

Founded

1866

Operated by

Ville de Chalon-sur-Saône

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the museum is free. Only certain guided tours are paid.

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

For information on accessibility according to the type of disability, the museum asks visitors to contact it by phone or email.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Workshops for young visitors are held during the holidays for ages 6–8 and 9–12 (free, 8 participants maximum, registration by phone). Downloadable “A-musée-vous” activity sheets are available for families.

Getting there & parking

The museum entrance is on Place de l’Hôtel de Ville.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A bookshop with a museum shop is located in the entrance hall on the first floor and is accessible during opening hours.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit