Musée du Protestantisme Dauphinois

About the museum

Le Poët-Laval is a medieval village, formerly a commandery of the Knights Hospitaller of Saint John of Jerusalem, which turned to the Reformation in the 16th century. The museum occupies a 15th-century manor which first served as the village's common house and became a temple in the 17th century. It is one of the very few temples that were not destroyed when the Edict of Nantes was revoked in 1685.

Founded in 1961, the museum presents the major periods in the history of Protestantism in the Dauphiné: the spread of the gospel by Waldensian pedlars (colporteurs vaudois), the Reformation and the Wars of Religion, the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, the persecutions, the Church of the Desert and the exile to the countries of the Refuge. It also covers the freedom regained during the Revolution, Protestants' attachment to the Republic and to education, the religious revivals, the search for unity among the Reformed churches, and the commitment of many Protestants in the Resistance and in the rescue of Jews during the Second World War.

The collections include old Bibles, psalters, historical documents, worship objects used in secret, a model galley and a collection of contemporary mosaics by Daniel Kaltenbach on biblical themes. The museum also has a library that can be consulted on request. A thematic exhibition is organised each year, and the museum is the starting and finishing point of the European hiking route “Sur les pas des Huguenots”.

Highlights

• History of Protestantism in the Dauphiné from the Reformation to today
• Former 17th-century temple, spared when the Edict of Nantes was revoked
• Worship objects used in secret, old Bibles and a model galley
• Contemporary mosaics by Daniel Kaltenbach
• Starting point of the hiking route “Sur les pas des Huguenots”

Permanent exhibition

• Histoire du protestantisme dauphinois – A route from the Reformation to the present, with old Bibles, psalters, worship objects used in secret, a model galley and contemporary mosaics.

Founded

1961

Operated by

Association Musée du Protestantisme Dauphinois

Admission & discounts

Free admission: European Heritage Days in September

Payment on site before the visit, by card or in cash; professionals may be invoiced by the organisation that books.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the old village of Le Poët-Laval, rue de l’Ancien Temple. It is the starting and finishing point of the European hiking route “Sur les pas des Huguenots”, which runs 1,600 km to Bad Karlshafen in Germany.

Amenities & dining

The museum's pages mention neither visitor Wi-Fi nor a shop or café.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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