Musée départemental Thomas-Dobrée

About the museum

Thomas II Dobrée, born in 1810, was the sole heir of a wealthy shipowning family from Nantes. He gave up business to devote his fortune to collecting and gathered nearly 10,000 works and documents. In 1861 he bought the grounds of the Manoir de la Touche, built in the 15th century for the Bishop of Nantes, Jean de Malestroit.

From 1862 to 1898 he had a neo-Romanesque residence built alongside, to a sketch by Viollet-le-Duc, topped by a 30-metre tower. By a will of 1894 he bequeathed his collections and the entire site to the Loire-Inférieure department. He died in 1895, before the house was finished. The museum opened to the public on January 8, 1899, and received the archaeological collections of the Société archéologique et historique de Nantes in 1896–1897, followed by numerous other gifts.

The museum now occupies three ensembles: the neo-Romanesque residence, the 15th-century manor and extensions from the 20th and 21st centuries, including the Voltaire building added in 1972–1973. The collections cover decorative arts and fine arts, graphic arts, rare books and numismatics. Closed for renovation from 2011, it reopened in 2024.

Highlights

• 15th-century manor and neo-Romanesque residence with its 30-metre tower
• Collections of decorative arts, archaeology, rare books and coins
• Route “Des histoires au bout des doigts” with objects to touch
• Children's garden with a play tower and a cabinet of curiosities
• Guided tour “Dans la peau des collectionneurs” with a card game

Permanent exhibition

• Collections permanentes – More than 2,400 works of decorative arts, archaeology and history from five continents and 500,000 years, presented in the manor, the neo-Romanesque residence and the Voltaire building.

Founded

1899

Operated by

Département de Loire-Atlantique

Visitors per year

approx. 42,008

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month (except in July, August and during temporary exhibitions); the European Museum Night and the Nuit du VAN

Free admission for job seekers, recipients of social minimum benefits and holders of the Pass Nantes or the Carte Grand Patrimoine de Loire-Atlantique; the Nantes Métropole museum pass is not accepted. Payment by bank card, cash or cheque.

Accessibility

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

The whole route is accessible to wheelchair users who can move independently; manual and transit wheelchairs are lent against an identity document, and seat-canes are available at reception and along the route. The museum is on a steep slope. Two reserved spaces at 15 rue Voltaire and a drop-off point at 19 rue Voltaire. Tactile model at reception, seven sensory tables with objects to touch, Braille and large print; visit guide and multimedia content in French Sign Language; easy-read booklet in French; induction loops at reception and in the auditorium. The website declares itself partially compliant with accessibility rules.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

A free-access family area next to reception, the route “À toi de jouer !” with game tables and a map for 7- to 12-year-olds, the tactile route “Des histoires au bout des doigts”, free mini-mediations. A children's garden with a tower for 6- to 12-year-olds and a cabinet of curiosities for 2- to 6-year-olds. Free admission for under-26s. The museum holds the “Musée Joyeux” label.

Getting there & parking

There is a significant slope to reach the museum. Bicycle parking on place Jean V (26 spaces) and rue Voltaire (14 spaces). Discount on the ticket with an SNCF or Aléop season ticket or a day train ticket.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Shop and café in the south building; the café has its own website. Gardens and play areas for children.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Auditorium, manor, event courtyard, reception rooms and private visits of the tower. Catering is not provided; a list of approved caterers is available on request.

Plan your visit