Musée des Avelines

About the museum

The collections of the city of Saint-Cloud began in 1927 with the purchase of the François Maindron collection, rich in prints and souvenirs of the town. A museum committee was set up in 1929 and a first inventory was drawn up in 1930, but the museum still had no premises of its own. In 1969, the writer and collector Charles Oulmont donated a large part of his artworks to the town, including a group of works by Eugène Carrière.

In 1988, the Maindron and Oulmont collections were brought together in the Villa Brunet, at 60 rue Gounod, and the Saint-Cloud history museum opened its doors. The villa was built in the 1930s by the architect Mourot for the pharmacist and collector Alfred Daniel Brunet. It has two wings linked by a monumental atrium inspired by the Villa Kérylos in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, with a rotunda 15 metres above the ground. The display of the collections was entirely redesigned in 2008, and the rotunda was restored in 2009.

The museum holds the “Musée de France” label. It tells the story of Saint-Cloud and of France through paintings, prints, photographs, objects and furniture: the Château de Monsieur, home of the king’s brother and later the residence of Marie Antoinette, Napoleon I and Napoleon III; Saint-Cloud soft-paste porcelain; the 18 Brumaire; the fire at the château in 1870; the Saint-Cloud festival; and the artists and aviation pioneers who lived in the town. It also presents temporary exhibitions.

Highlights

• 1930s villa with monumental atrium and rotunda
• History of the Château de Saint-Cloud, from Monsieur to Napoleon III
• Saint-Cloud soft-paste porcelain
• Maindron and Oulmont collections, with works by Eugène Carrière
• Free admission and the Jardin des Avelines

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours des collections permanentes – History of Saint-Cloud and its châteaux, soft-paste porcelain, and the personalities and events that shaped the town, in a 1930s villa.

Founded

1988

Operated by

Ville de Saint-Cloud

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the museum is free, without booking, during opening hours. Only guided tours, workshops and certain activities are paid and are booked by telephone.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Workshops are held for children aged 5 to 7 and 8 to 12, as well as family workshops from age 5, linked to the exhibitions, by reservation. Do-at-home activities are also available on the website.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A museum shop offers books, stationery, postcards and merchandise. In the rotunda, art magazines are available for a rest during your visit.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit