Musée des Explorations du monde
The Musée des Explorations du monde in the Suquet, Cannes' historic quarter, housed in a former monastic castle, with collections of ethnography, Mediterranean antiquities and musical instruments.
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About the museum
The museum was founded in 1877 thanks to a major donation from the Dutch baron Tinco Martinus Lycklama à Nijeholt. It was first housed in the town hall, then in the castle from 1920. The city of Cannes bought the castle in 1919; the tower and the Chapelle Sainte-Anne have been listed as historic monuments since 1937. The museum, long known as the musée de la Castre, officially took the name musée des Explorations du monde in 2021.
The castle was built from the 11th century by the monks of Lérins on the Suquet hill. It was partly destroyed in the 18th century, sold as national property during the Revolution, and leased to a ceramics workshop from 1878. The square tower has 109 steps and offers a view over Cannes.
The collections bring together art from the Himalayas and Tibet, the Arctic, pre-Columbian America and Oceania, Mediterranean antiquities (Egypt, the Near East, Cyprus, Greece, Rome) and a collection of musical instruments from around the world. Rooms devoted to Orientalism and the arts of Iran open onto the courtyard, and the Chapelle Sainte-Anne displays Artemisia Gentileschi's painting Judith et Holopherne.
Highlights
- Arts premiers (non-European art): Himalayas, Arctic, pre-Columbian America, Oceania
- Mediterranean antiquities
- Collection of musical instruments from around the world
- Judith et Holopherne by Artemisia Gentileschi in the Chapelle Sainte-Anne
- Medieval tower with a view over Cannes
- Founded
- 1877
- Operated by
- Ville de Cannes
- Visitors per year
- approx. 36,529 (2019)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3.50Young adults aged 18 to 25, groups of 10 adults or more, holders of the Cannes Pass Culture and the APC Aventura (with proof) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free for under-18s, with proof. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free for visitors with disabilities and their companion. |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree for students, with proof. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €3.50 per personReduced rate for groups of 10 adults or more. |
| Lecture fee for external tour guides (per group) | €38Free for teachers on school visits. |
Free admission: First Sunday of the month, from November to March
Free admission also for job seekers, leisure centres, holders of the ICOM card, and teachers with their class. The Cannes Pass Culture, the Cannes Pass Expo and the Pass Côte d'Azur France offer benefits.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Stroller-friendly: not available
Workshops and mediation activities for young children, school groups and adults; admission is free for under-18s.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Musée des explorations du monde
Bus; stops “Musée des explorations du monde” and “Hôtel de ville”.
By car
Parking available
Parking at the Suquet and at Forville.
The museum is on the heights of the Suquet historic quarter, in the castle of the monks of Lérins.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
The museum and its square are offered as a prestigious venue for private and corporate events.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The tower is limited to 15 visitors at a time, for 15 minutes at most. Large luggage, pushchairs and animals are not admitted. Workshops and mediation activities are offered for young children, school groups and adults. |
