Musée des Instruments à vent

About the museum

The Musée des instruments à vent was founded in 1888 by the finishing workers in musical instruments of La Couture-Boussey, a village known as the cradle of wind instruments since the 17th century. It is the first French museum of instrument making. The founders wanted to preserve the history of local woodwind manufacture and compare it with the work of French and European makers; all the workers helped gather instruments from the village workshops.

The museum's activity was interrupted between 1900 and 1939, but the collection was maintained and survived World War II. In 1982 it was moved from a room in the town hall to the present building, a former village school, in the presence of Léon Leblanc (1900–2000), owner of the factory of the same name.

The collections include more than 300 instruments, as well as tools, machines and archives. Four companies still carry on instrument making in the region today. Since 2017 the museum has belonged to the Communauté d'agglomération Évreux Portes de Normandie and holds the “Musée de France” label.

Highlights

• Flutes, clarinets, oboes and bassoons made in La Couture-Boussey since the 18th century
• First French museum dedicated to instrument making
• Tools, machines and archives from the workshops
• 12-track sound route in the visit app
• Adapted tactile and musical visits, by reservation

Permanent exhibition

• Collections permanentes – More than 300 instruments, tools, machines and archives that tell the story of wind-instrument making in La Couture-Boussey from the 18th century to today.

Founded

1888

Operated by

Communauté d’agglomération Évreux Portes de Normandie

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission: European Crafts Days, European Museum Night, Rendez-vous aux jardins, Fête de la musique, European Heritage Days and the En attendant Noël festival

Admission is free. Activities are free for under-18s, except individual workshops for children. Events are booked by email or via the Events tab on the website. Payment by card or cash.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

The museum holds the Tourisme et Handicap label (hearing, intellectual, motor and visual disabilities). It is on one level and wheelchair-accessible, except the toilets. Chairs are available in the collections room; there is an induction loop at reception, magnifiers on request, room booklets and easy-to-read booklets (FALC). Adapted visits focused on touch and music are offered by reservation. A parking area 50 meters from the museum allows arrival via a level route.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Workshops for children (€5). Other activities are free for under-18s.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the village center, opposite the church. From Paris: N12, exit Houdan, toward Anet via the A13, exit Mantes, toward Ivry-la-Bataille. From Rouen: A154, exit Saint-André-de-l'Eure, then RD 833. Nearest EV charging point: Intermarché car park in Ivry-la-Bataille, 5 minutes away.

Amenities & dining

• Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi Smart_Evreux in the rooms and the green space of the museum. Online shop. Due to the Vigipirate security plan, backpacks, suitcases and large bags are prohibited, and there is no left-luggage service.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit