Musée des beaux-arts et de la dentelle

About the museum

The museum descends from an earlier institution that opened on July 15, 1857 in the town hall of Alençon. From the outset it was meant to bring together encyclopaedic collections: paintings, a cabinet of prints and drawings, archaeology and natural history. Ethnography, lace and mementos of the First World War were added later.

Since 1981 it has occupied the town's former Jesuit college, a 17th-century building whose construction dates back to 1620. It holds around 20,000 works and carries the “Musée de France” label.

Painting takes up a large share, with many artists from the Orne department, from the 19th century to the mid-20th century. The lace section shows how the making of Alençon lace made the town famous in France and across Europe for nearly four centuries; this craft is listed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The museum also holds a reference ethnographic collection on Cambodia, bequeathed by Adhémard Leclère, a native of Alençon who lived in Cambodia from 1886 to 1911. It presents an average of two temporary exhibitions a year.

Highlights

• Alençon lace collection, inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Heritage list
• Paintings by artists from the Orne, from the 19th century to the mid-20th century
• Cambodia collection assembled by Adhémard Leclère
• Works by Gustave Caillebotte, including the series “Partie de bateau”
• Building of the former Jesuit college (1620)

Permanent exhibitions

• La dentelle – Collection devoted to Alençon lace and to the industry that made the town famous for nearly four centuries.
• Les beaux-arts – Paintings and works on paper, with a large share of artists from the Orne, from the 19th century to the mid-20th century.
• Le Cambodge d'Adhémard Leclère – Reference ethnographic collection assembled by Adhémard Leclère, who lived in Cambodia from 1886 to 1911.

Founded

1857

Operated by

Communauté urbaine d'Alençon

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of every month, free for everyone

Free with proof for teachers, recipients of minimum social benefits (minima sociaux), holders of the press card, Muséopass, ICOM card, Carte Culture or Pass Accueil Normandie, and ADPA members, as well as for the companion of a visitor with reduced mobility. Tickets are paid for on site (cash, bank card or cheque) and are not sold in advance.

Accessibility

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

Access ramps outside; a lift shared with the Aveline media library serves the floors. Folding seats to borrow, induction loop on request, baby-changing tables and adapted toilets. The city car parks have reserved spaces. The museum declares its accessibility as partially compliant. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are admitted; other animals are not.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Workshops by booking: “Amusette au musée” (ages 1 to 3 with a parent, Wednesdays at 10:30), “Familles d'artistes” (ages 4 to 6, Fridays at 10:30) and “Artistes en herbe” (ages 7 to 11, Wednesdays at 14:30). “Muséojeux” play bags are lent at reception, along with quiz booklets for the temporary exhibitions, and there are play areas in the permanent galleries (puzzles, books, colouring, tactile elements). Additional programme during school holidays.

Getting there & parking

By road via the A28, RN 12, RN 138 and RN 155. Electric vehicle charging points on place Foch and place du Commandant Desmeulles. Six bike shelters in the courtyard of Bernadette and Jean Mars; self-service bikes at the Mobikap station near the tourist office.

Amenities & dining

Drinking fountain and defibrillator on site.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit