Musée du Jouet
Town museum of Poissy in the former priory, devoted to toys and the culture of childhood, from antiquity to the 2000s.
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About the museum
The Musée du Jouet was founded in Poissy by Marie-Madeleine Rabecq-Maillard, curator of the Musée d’Histoire de l’éducation, and opened in 1976. Originally, its collection brought together old toys representative of the great toy families. It was then enriched with European games and toys, dating mostly from 1850 to 1950. The museum is housed in the 14th-century gatehouse (porterie) of the former priory of Poissy; it received the Musée de France label in 2002.
Closed in July 2016 for a complete renovation and extension, the museum reopened on May 11, 2019, with an entirely redesigned route. Designed by director Hélène Meyer-Roudet together with the specialist Michel Manson, it follows the history of the toy and the culture of childhood in chronological order, placing the child at the centre. Ancient toys, shown thanks to a loan from the Louvre, open the route, which runs from the handcrafted objects of the Ancien Régime to the industrial products of steam, electricity, oil and finally computing.
Mechanical, digital, visual and sound animations, a tactile trail and play areas complement the display cases. About 7% of the collections are on show, more than 600 objects, with regular rotations.
Highlights
- Chronological route of the toy, from antiquity to the 2000s
- Ancient toys shown thanks to a loan from the Louvre
- More than 600 objects on display, with mechanical, digital and sound animations
- Tactile trail and play areas
- Building in the gatehouse of the former priory of Poissy
Permanent exhibition
- Histoire du jouet et de la culture de l'enfance – Chronological route from the first ancient toys to the games of the 21st century, with interactive animations and a tactile trail.
- Founded
- 1976
- Operated by
- Ville de Poissy
- Director
- Hélène Meyer-Roudet
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5Children aged 3 to 18, large family card holders (carte famille nombreuse), teacher card holders and groups of 10 people or more |
| Children & teens | €5free up to age 2 · Free from 0 to 2 years inclusive; reduced rate from 3 to 18 years. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free for holders of the mobility inclusion card (CMI) and their companion. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €5 per personReduced rate from 10 people; groups book by phone or email. |
| Families | €20For up to 2 adults accompanied by 3 to 7 children under 18, regardless of family relationship. |
| Destination Pass, adult | €6 |
| Destination Pass, child | €4 |
Free admission: The first Sunday of each month and during national events.
Admission is also free for job seekers, recipients of social minimum benefits (minima sociaux), tour guides and holders of the ICOM and ICOMOS cards. Workshops and shows are booked and paid for online.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The route is reached by two spiral staircases; a lift is available on request at the reception desk, with the help of a member of staff. A tablet allows visitors to discover the toys in rooms 1 and 2, which are hard to reach for people with reduced mobility. Induction loop at the reception desk; wheelchair, stool-cane seat, baby carrier and a visit booklet in Braille or large print available on request. Two reserved parking spaces in front of the grey door, after the entrance archway; signage has not yet been installed. Assistance dogs are welcome.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 2 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €20 · For up to 2 adults accompanied by 3 to 7 children under 18, regardless of family relationship. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Playground / play area
Workshops for children from age 3 (for example “Bout d’chou” for ages 3 to 4, with an adult) and shows during school holidays. The route includes play areas and a tactile trail.
Getting there & parking
By car
Free parking · 10-min walk to the entrance
No parking spaces inside the Abbey enclosure (Enclos de l’Abbaye), except for people with reduced mobility, who may park on the grass opposite the gate. The Migneaux swimming pool car park, avenue Émile Zola, is free and a 10-minute walk away; parking is paid in the surrounding streets.
- Accessible parking
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Shop with exhibition catalogues, postcards, old tin toys, wooden toys and reproductions of old toys.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The route is dotted with mechanical, digital, visual and sound animations. A games booklet is offered. The programme of workshops, shows and tours can be consulted on the website; online ticketing has been open since July 1, 2026 (excluding school groups and leisure centres). |
