Musée du Papier

About the museum

The Musée du Papier has been housed since 1988 in the former Joseph Bardou paper mills, known as “Le Nil,” on the banks of the Charente in Angoulême. It preserves the memory of the paper industry that shaped the city, as well as neighboring activities such as printing and the image.

The collections come from a holding acquired in 1970 by the municipal museum from Henri Lacombe, a papermaker and scholar. They were enriched by donations and purchases from 1986 onward and cover paper manufacturing (paper molds, watermarking cylinders, wire mesh, laboratory equipment), finished products (watermarked and unwatermarked samples, 18th to 20th century) and manufactured goods (correspondence boxes, packaging). An important group is devoted to cigarette paper; the earliest documents date from 1845 and come from the Le Nil mills. The museum also holds contemporary artworks made of paper and a documentary archive on the history of papermaking.

The permanent route, entitled “Charente Confluences, du fleuve aux industries, du papier à l’image,” occupies the rooms on the Charente side at street level, where a waterwheel, sluice gates and channels recall the use of hydraulic power. Since November 19, 2024, the knowledge and practices linked to handmade paper in France have been included in the national inventory of intangible cultural heritage, at the initiative of the City of Angoulême, which is also preparing a European paper route.

Highlights

• Route “Charente Confluences, du fleuve aux industries, du papier à l’image”
• Former Joseph Bardou “Le Nil” paper mill, with waterwheel, sluice gates and channels
• Papermaking equipment: paper molds, watermarking cylinders, watermarked samples
• Collection on cigarette paper from 1845
• Work by artist Daniel Mar in tribute to the women workers of the Le Nil mills

Permanent exhibition

• Charente Confluences, du fleuve aux industries, du papier à l'image – A route in five themes: the Charente river, the artisanal and industrial making of paper, the history of the site, the valley of the image and its school, and Daniel Mar’s work in tribute to the women workers.

Founded

1988

Operated by

Ville d'Angoulême (MAAM)

Visitors per year

approx. 36,275

Admission & discounts

According to the City’s price list, admission to the Musée du Papier is free when no temporary exhibition is on show. Also free for subscribers, recipients of social minimum benefits, culture professionals, journalists, teachers preparing a scheduled visit, veterans and war victims.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The city museums are accessible to visitors with reduced mobility; for the temporary exhibitions of the Musée du Papier, use the entrance on Rue de Bordeaux and call reception beforehand. Reserved parking spaces near the main entrance. Folding seats, magnifiers, flashlights and wheelchairs lent at reception on request. Assistance dogs admitted on presentation of proof. Tactile and sensory tours for groups; French Sign Language tours by reservation.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The city museums offer children’s activity booklets, available at the ticket desk, as well as activities and workshops for young audiences, especially during the holidays.

Getting there & parking

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