Cité des Présents - François Mitterrand
Cultural center in Château-Chinon combining the museum of François Mitterrand's presidential gifts and a fashion museum; reopened in May 2026.
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About the museum
The Cité des Présents - François Mitterrand grew out of the Nièvre département's project to bring two Château-Chinon museums together in one place: the Musée du Septennat, which holds the gifts François Mitterrand received during his terms as President of the Republic (1981–1995), and the Musée du Costume. Mitterrand had been mayor of the town, senator and president of the Nièvre general council, and the site recalls this link with the region.
Following an architecture competition in 2014, architect Patrick Mauger oversaw the renovation of the historic buildings and the construction of a pavilion linking the collections. The former museums closed in autumn 2019, and the foundation stone of the new complex was laid in October 2020. In 2023, moisture detected in the Couvent Sainte-Claire delayed the opening, which took place in stages from spring 2025.
The Cité officially reopened on May 10, 2026. Across nearly 2,000 m², it presents a museum of presidential gifts, with objects from almost eighty countries, and a fashion museum, based in part on the donation of couturier Pascal Millet. The complex also includes a reception area with shop, shared with the tourist office, and landscaped gardens.
Highlights
- Gifts presented to François Mitterrand by heads of state and delegations from around the world
- Fashion museum featuring the donation of couturier Pascal Millet
- Contemporary pavilion linking the two collections
- Landscaped gardens around the buildings
- Cultural program with workshops, lectures, concerts and performances
Permanent exhibitions
- Musée des cadeaux présidentiels – Gifts presented to François Mitterrand during his two terms, ranging from diplomacy and craftsmanship to unusual objects from around the world.
- Musée de la mode – A route devoted to clothing and design, based on the costume collection of Château-Chinon and the donation of couturier Pascal Millet.
- Operated by
- Département de la Nièvre
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €9 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6Young people aged 18 to 25, holders of the Clé des musées or carte culture, teachers, groups of 12 or more |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for under-18s. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree admission for visitors with disabilities. |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree for students under 25. |
| Groups (12+ people) | €6 per personReduced rate for groups of 12 or more. |
| Adult guided tour (admission included) | €14 |
Admission is also free for recipients of social minimum benefits, job seekers, ICOM members, journalists, tour guides and teachers on a preparatory visit. Prices are those announced by the tourist office of Autun and Grand Autunois Morvan.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
Workshops for children are held, mainly during school holidays.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Reception area with shop and restrooms; reception services are shared with the tourist office.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours for adults are offered. A program of workshops, lectures and performances takes place mainly during school holidays and national events such as European Heritage Days. |
