Musée du Moteur

About the museum

The Musée du Moteur was founded in Saumur in 1986 and opened to the public in 1992. It presents itself as the first museum devoted entirely to the internal combustion engine. It came about through a partnership of three partners: former students of the École industrielle de Saumur, the City of Saumur and the Lycée Sadi Carnot.

The collections include engines from 1898 to the present day, weighing from 80 grams to 21 tonnes, with 1 to 12 cylinders. They run on gas, gasoline or diesel; some are naturally aspirated, others supercharged. These engines were used in transport, as generators, pumps and in industry, as main or auxiliary engines. Most are in working order, such as the 21-tonne Sulzer.

The museum occupies a former factory in the Baltard style, which once made bottle-closure capsules. A team of enthusiasts presents and runs old and modern engines, with technical and historical explanations for each piece. The website also offers online courses on the engine and its integration into vehicles.

Highlights

• Engines from 1898 to today, from 80 grams to 21 tonnes
• Single- to twelve-cylinder engines running on gas, gasoline or diesel
• 21-tonne Sulzer engine
• Former factory in the Baltard style
• Team of enthusiasts who get the engines running again

Permanent exhibition

• Collection de moteurs à combustion interne – Engines from 1898 to today, from 80 grams to 21 tonnes, mostly in working order, presented with technical and historical explanations.

Founded

1986

Admission & discounts

2026 rates. Payment by bank card, check, postal money order or cash.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

GPS coordinates: 47° 15' 02" N, 0° 05' 16" E; access map available for download on the museum’s website.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.