Musée départemental de préhistoire de Solutré

About the museum

The museum was created in 1987 by the departmental council of Saône-et-Loire, with support from the State. It brings together evidence of some 350,000 years of human presence in southern Burgundy, mainly at Solutré, Vergisson and in the Mâconnais. The first deposits came from the Académie de Mâcon, the Musée des Ursulines in Mâcon with the collection of Adrien Arcelin, and the State.

The Solutré site, occupied for at least 55,000 years, is known for the mass hunting of horses and reindeer and gave its name to the Solutrean culture, around 24,000 years ago. It has been studied since the late 19th century. The museum’s largest deposit comes from excavations led by Jean Combier at the Crot du Charnier between 1968 and 1976. The collections number more than 300,000 objects.

Out of respect for the landscape, the building is partly underground; its entrance evokes a fault in the rock strata, and a large opening looks out over the Saône valley. In 2006 the archaeological site was laid out as an archaeological and botanical park, accessible from the museum.

Highlights

• Reference site of the Solutrean
• Vergisson rock shelters and Neanderthal occupations
• Caves at Azé and Furtins
• Life-size reconstructions of extinct large carnivores and a figure of a Neanderthal
• Archaeological and botanical park of eight stations
• View over the Saône valley from the museum

Permanent exhibitions

• Collections du musée de préhistoire – More than 300,000 objects covering some 350,000 years of human presence, from Solutré, Vergisson, Azé and the Mâconnais.
• Parc archéologique et botanique – A trail of eight stations covering about 13,000 m² presents the local flora, the results of the excavations and the history of research; casts show the archaeological layers.

Founded

1987

Operated by

Département de Saône-et-Loire

Admission & discounts

The museum entry ticket also gives access to the archaeological and botanical park.

Accessibility

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

The museum has held the “Tourisme et Handicap” label since 2012. Two reserved parking spaces are in front of the entrance, and a wheelchair is lent at reception. The archaeological and botanical park is not accessible to visitors with reduced mobility. At reception there are a tactile book in Braille and raised print, educational cases with touchable replicas, sensory tours, tablets with French Sign Language (LSF), an easy-to-read booklet, a large-print booklet and a magnetic induction loop station. Equipment loans are free on request.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The park is not accessible by stroller. Animated tours, educational workshops and nature outings are offered to leisure centres and school groups.

Getting there & parking

The site is about 10 km west of Mâcon. The path up to the Roche is accessible neither by bicycle nor by stroller.

Amenities & dining

• Café

The Café de la Roche, at the Maison du Grand Site at the foot of the rock, is about 300 m below the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit