Musée des Maisons comtoises de Nancray

About the museum

The museum is the work of Abbé Jean Garneret (1907–2002), a priest, ethnologist and collector who devoted his life to the study of rural life in Franche-Comté. With his disciple Pierre Bourgin and the support of Georges-Henri Rivière, he wrote in 1980 the project for a regional park museum whose houses were to represent the whole region.

The Nancray site, near Besançon and hilly, was chosen on a 16-hectare municipal plot. The prefect gave his approval in 1983, and the museum opened in 1988 with five houses. Since 1984, buildings dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries have been dismantled, transported and rebuilt identically, until they formed a group of 35 structures from Haut-Doubs, Haut-Jura, the Vosges saônoises, the Jurassian Bresse, the Jura plateau and the Sundgau.

The houses are furnished and equipped from cellar to attic to show daily life between 1660 and 1950. The museum holds the “Musée de France” label and conserves more than 22,000 objects: architectural elements, farm tools, furniture, household objects and textiles. It also has gardens, farm animals and regular activities.

Highlights

• 35 authentic houses moved and rebuilt, from Haut-Doubs to the Sundgau
• Furnished interiors from cellar to attic, from 1750 to 1950
• Collection of more than 22,000 objects of rural life
• Gardens, including a medicinal plant garden, and farm animals
• Activities, treasure hunts and guided tours throughout the season

Permanent exhibition

• Les 35 maisons comtoises – Open-air route through 35 authentic buildings from the 17th to 19th centuries, furnished and equipped as they were between 1750 and 1950.

Founded

1988

Visitors per year

approx. 81,160

Admission & discounts

Annual Ginko network subscribers receive reduced admission. The subscription also gives discounts at partner sites (Citadelle de Besançon, Saline Royale d’Arc-et-Senans). Payment by cash, cheque, bank card and Chèques-Vacances.

Accessibility

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

“Tourisme & Handicap” label for hearing, visual and intellectual disabilities. Loan of two adult wheelchairs, one child’s wheelchair and walking sticks with seats; tactile tables; raised-relief map and Braille; Braille visitor guide; large-print captions; tactile floor studs. Induction loops at the reception and on guided tours; Time app with sign-language tours, subtitles and audio description; easy-to-read guides available at the reception.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Treasure hunts for children and accompanying adults. Daily activities, workshops, courses and holiday programme; workshops for leisure centres and schools. Village of cabins with games, meeting the farm animals, treasure hunts and regular family events.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in Nancray, about 15 km from Besançon. Electric vehicle charging points nearby.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

70-seat restaurant with terrace, open Wednesday to Sunday (service from 11:45 to 13:45, crêpes from 15:00), accessible without an admission ticket; reservation recommended. Café with terrace serving local products. Shop with regional products, wooden toys and books.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 250 guests.

Meeting room (15 to 50 people for conferences), Vellerot farm, forest house (15 people), orchard with tent and outdoor area at La Fruitière, for up to 250 people. Offer intended for meetings, seminars and corporate events.

Plan your visit