Château-Musée départemental Demard des Arts et Traditions populaires

About the museum

The museum was officially set up in the château of Champlitte in 1957. The Haute-Saône département became its owner in 1963, and the museum has since occupied the entire building. It is dedicated to the ethnographic heritage of the Champlitte region and, more broadly, of Haute-Saône.

The route offers an insight into rural society at the turn of the 20th century. The displays rely on reconstructed interiors of farmhouses, workshops and shops. They immerse visitors in a village community where rites and popular beliefs marked the rhythm of the year.

The château itself has been a listed historic monument since 1909. Around 1565, a Renaissance wing was added to the medieval fortress for François de Vergy. The château was set on fire in 1638 during the Guerre de Dix Ans, and again in 1751. The south wing was rebuilt between 1765 and 1768, and the château was completed in 1781–1782.

In 1804, a panoramic wallpaper titled “Les Sauvages de la mer Pacifique” was installed in the oval salon on the first floor. The town bought the château in 1825 and housed a town hall, a school and later a collège there. Since 2008, French-style gardens have adorned the courtyard of honour.

Highlights

• Reconstructed peasant interiors, workshops and shops
• Renaissance château, a listed historic monument
• 1804 panoramic wallpaper in the oval salon
• French-style gardens in the courtyard of honour
• Escape game in the museum (by reservation)

Permanent exhibition

• Arts et traditions populaires – Reconstructed peasant interiors, workshops and shops showing rural life in Haute-Saône at the turn of the 20th century.

Founded

1957

Operated by

Département de la Haute-Saône

Visitors per year

approx. 20,306

Admission & discounts

Free admission: The first Sunday of every month

The full-price ticket of €7 is a multi-site pass valid during the tourist season: it gives access to the three Musées départementaux Demard sites and to the château de Ray-sur-Saône. Admission is also free, with proof, for teachers, job seekers, recipients of social minimum benefits, members of the Amis des Musées départementaux, holders of a press card, tour guide card, culture card, ICOM card, Avantage Jeune card or Pass culture.

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 château has an elevator. Companions of people with disabilities are admitted free. The public services department (+33 3 84 95 76 59) helps prepare an adapted visit.

Kids & families

Visits and activities are offered to school and after-school groups.

Getting there & parking

Champlitte is 54 km from Dijon.

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