Musée du Donjon
Medieval keep of Niort turned museum: the history of the monument over a thousand years, a Poitevin interior and ethnographic and archaeological collections.
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About the museum
The Donjon is the last remaining part of a fortified complex whose history begins in the 12th century. In 1154, Henry Plantagenet became King of England; master of all western France thanks to the dowry of Eleanor of Aquitaine, he decided to build a fortress at Niort to hold the Poitou region and control the port. From 1180, a Romanesque building of dressed stone, with two square towers joined by high curtain walls, replaced the wooden castle.
From the second half of the 13th century, the Donjon also served as a residence and later as lodging for the captains, then the governors of the stronghold. A tower collapsed in 1749, but the building was restored as early as 1751. From the 18th century it served as a prison, notably for English sailors who carved inscriptions into the walls. Listed as a historic monument in 1840, it also at one point housed the departmental archives.
Following the first national congress of ethnology, held in Niort in 1896, the Donjon found its calling as a museum with the first museum of Poitevin costume. Today it is a Musée de France run by the Niort Agglo, offering a permanent exhibition on the history of the monument, ethnographic and archaeological collections and a terrace with a panoramic view.
Highlights
- Permanent exhibition “1000 ans d’histoire” with a tactile model, dioramas and 3D film
- Reconstruction of a Poitevin interior from the second half of the 19th century
- Room under the roof frame with traditional Poitevin furniture
- Inscriptions carved by English sailors imprisoned in the 18th century
- Crenellated terrace with a 360° panorama and orientation table
Permanent exhibitions
- 1000 ans d'histoire – Five rooms trace the history of the Donjon from the 12th century, with a tactile model of the town, dioramas and a 3D animation.
- Collections ethnographiques – Traditional Poitevin furniture under the roof frame and reconstruction of a rural interior from the second half of the 19th century.
- Operated by
- Niort Agglo
- Visitors per year
- approx. 20,687
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4.50Groups of at least 6 paying people, adults accompanying a child over 5 taking part in an activity, young people with the Petit Léonard card, employees of local authorities or companies in the agglomeration via their works council |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 25 · Free admission on proof for European Union residents under 26. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree admission on presentation of the mobility inclusion card. |
| Groups (6+ people) | €4.50 per personFrom 6 paying people (reduced rate per person). |
| Access to the two Niort Agglo museums (valid 1 year) | €8Reduced rate: €7. |
| Individual annual pass, rate outside the agglomeration | €25Unlimited access to the museum, the Donjon and the temporary exhibitions; blue (€15), green (€7) and yellow (€5) rates also exist. |
Free admission: First Sunday of each month
Because of the works at the Donjon, the combined ticket for both museums is offered at the price of a single museum. Free admission on proof for members of the Association des Amis des Musées de Niort, RSA recipients living in the agglomeration, professionals (ICOM, ICOMOS, press card, etc.) and accompanying adults of school groups.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The Musée du Donjon is not accessible to people with reduced mobility. A tactile model and tactile lecterns are present in the permanent exhibition.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 25 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Playground / play area
- Kids’ birthday parties
Activities for ages 6 to 12 during school holidays (visit, workshop and snack, 2 hours, 12 participants maximum, by reservation). Birthday parties for ages 6 to 12, on Wednesdays or Saturdays, in period costume. Tactile model in the exhibition and a children’s corner in the reception room.
Getting there & parking
Address: rue du Guesclin, 79000 Niort.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Coat check
Supervised free cloakroom. Relaxation area in the reception room with tourist information and a children’s corner. Shop with medieval costumes for children, books and postcards.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Self-guided visit with a mini-guide at reception; flashcodes give access to texts translated into English. Themed guided tour on the 4th Sunday of the month at 15:00 (1 hour, from age 12). Thursday evening openings in summer (1 to 2 hours). Guided tours for groups by reservation. |
