Musée départemental de Préhistoire d'Île-de-France

About the museum

The decision to create the museum was taken in 1972 on the initiative of the archaeologist Michel Brézillon, with the support of Étienne Dailly, then president of the Seine-et-Marne General Council. The museum opened to the public in Nemours on January 10, 1981.

The building was designed by the architect Roland Simounet following a competition; work began in 1977. Outside Paris, it was the first museum of this type to be built entirely from scratch. It is organised around patios and inner gardens, in a six-hectare wooded park.

The collections combine older holdings and finds from more recent excavations, notably those of the Pincevent site directed by André Leroi-Gourhan. The collecting area covers the Paris region and the Paris Basin.

The route follows four major chronological stages, from early prehistory to the Metal Ages. Each stage comprises two rooms and an inner garden evoking the landscape of the period. The museum is a facility of the Seine-et-Marne department.

Highlights

• Reindeer hunters’ camp from Pincevent
• Tufa of La Celle, an exceptional geological heritage
• Flint tools knapped by the Magdalenians of Étiolles
• Village of Noyen-sur-Seine and Carolingian boat
• Chronological route in four stages with inner gardens
• Contemporary architecture by Roland Simounet in a six-hectare park

Permanent exhibition

• Collections permanentes – Room-by-room route in four major stages, from early prehistory to the Metal Ages, with the excavations of Pincevent, Étiolles and Noyen-sur-Seine.

Founded

1981

Operated by

Département de Seine-et-Marne

Visitors per year

approx. 34,253

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for recipients of minimum social benefits, job seekers and war victims. The Balad’Pass 77 card, reserved for residents of Seine-et-Marne, gives free entry when at least one full-price ticket is bought. A combined ticket with the Château-musée de Nemours is also offered.

Accessibility

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

The permanent collections and the temporary exhibition room are accessible via ramps; some slopes exceed 6% and may require assistance. A reserved parking space is located on Avenue Étienne Dailly near the park entrance, and a tarmac path leads to the entrance. Induction loop at reception, film in room 4 with subtitles, tactile discovery device for visually impaired visitors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

The main route is richly illustrated and designed for young visitors, with life-size silhouettes and skull casts. The museum offers family activities, workshops for leisure centres (ages 5–6, 7–12 and 13–17) and the “Préhisto’jeux” games. Changing table in the accessible toilets.

Getting there & parking

By car from Paris (about 80 km): A6 towards Lyon, exit 16 Montereau-Fault-Yonne/Nemours. From Fontainebleau or Montargis: D607.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with exhibition catalogues and archaeological publications.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit