Musée du mobilier miniature

About the museum

The Musée du mobilier miniature is housed in the Orangerie of the Château de Vendeuvre in Calvados. It presents itself as the first collection of miniature furniture in the world. The collection grew out of a childhood fascination: at seven, Elyane de Vendeuvre saw a small 18th-century secretary at an elderly aunt’s house, who gave it to her for her 18th birthday.

The museum offers an overview of decorative arts from the 16th century to Art Deco, with more than 700 pieces of furniture and thousands of small objects in wood, wax, clay, paper, leather, bronze or ceramic. The pieces are classified in six categories: models or mock-ups, journeymen’s masterpieces, leisure pieces, tabletry, religious furniture and children’s furniture.

The museum is part of the Château de Vendeuvre estate, built from 1741 to plans by Jacques-François Blondel and kept in the same family since. The estate also includes the kitchens, a park of more than 14 hectares and water gardens.

Highlights

• More than 700 miniature pieces of furniture and thousands of small objects
• Dauphine bed and staircase with twelve flights in miniature
• Cabinets by Daoust and Sissi
• The cat’s bed and the elephant clock
• Museum in the Orangerie of an 18th-century château

Permanent exhibition

• Collection de mobilier miniature – More than 700 miniature pieces of furniture and thousands of small objects from the 16th century to Art Deco, displayed in the Orangerie.

Admission & discounts

The “Les 4 visites” ticket (€12 adult, €10 young person) lets visitors choose between the miniature furniture museum and the château visit, and also includes the kitchens, the niche collection, the water gardens, the mazes and the grotto. Chèques-vacances accepted. Tickets are sold on site for all or some of the visits.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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

The Orangerie museum is fully accessible at ground level. The château’s front steps have 11 steps. The main courtyard and part of the park have stabilized gravel paths; other parts have changes in level. Accessible toilets near the reception and the Orangerie. Staff help visitors on request.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Playground / play area

Play area and activities for children in the park; treasure hunt for school groups.

Getting there & parking

Via the A13 motorway, exit 29. The château is 5 km from Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives, 15 km from Falaise and 30 km from Caen.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Bookshop, drinks area and picnic area in the park; meals possible for groups by reservation. Small carried dogs admitted in the buildings; dogs on a leash in the park.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit