Musée Joffre
Birthplace of Marshal Joffre in Rivesaltes, turned into a museum about his life, the Battle of the Marne and the Catalan volunteers.
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About the museum
As early as 1931, after the death of Joseph Joffre, the idea of a museum in his birthplace emerged. The house was listed as a historic monument by a decree of April 20, 1938. After several decades of rental and then neglect, the commune of Rivesaltes acquired it under a life annuity (viager) and carried out the urgent conservation work.
In 1984, a committee chaired by General Cortale was set up to carry the project through. It obtained panels from the army's Historical Service on the Battle of the Marne, and the marshal's universal legatee donated the furniture of the Paris office where Joffre wrote his memoirs, as well as many personal objects. The museum received the “Maison des illustres” label in 2011.
Spread over about 200 m² on three floors, the museum pays tribute to Joffre, to the residents of Rivesaltes who died for France, and to foreign volunteers, in particular the southern Catalans who served in the Foreign Legion during the First World War. The ground floor occupies the former cooperage workshop of Joffre's father.
Highlights
- Birthplace of Marshal Joffre, a listed historic monument
- Reconstructed family apartment with the birth room
- Office with the furniture where Joffre wrote his memoirs
- Battle of the Marne shown with an animated relief
- Tribute to the Catalan volunteers of the First World War
Permanent exhibitions
- Parcours de la maison natale – Panels on Joffre's career on the ground floor, the family apartment with the birth room, and the office on the first floor.
- La bataille de la Marne – On the top floor, an animated relief and a slideshow present the Battle of the Marne.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €1free up to age 11 · Accompanied children from 12 years: €1; free for children under 12. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree admission for visitors with reduced mobility. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €2 per personPrice per person from 10 people; free for supervised school groups. |
Prices are published on the museum's visitor conditions page.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Admission is free for visitors with reduced mobility. The website does not describe the building's accessibility, which spans three floors.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 11 |
|---|
Free for children under 12; supervised school groups enter free.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Supervised school groups enter free of charge. A virtual tour of the museum is offered on the website. |
