Musée du Temps

About the museum

The Musée du Temps occupies the Granvelle Palace, built in the 16th century for Nicolas Perrenot de Granvelle. It moved in in 2002, after a major heritage restoration, with the aim of paying tribute to Besançon's watchmaking past. The museum's theme links the history of the city, the measurement of time, science and reflection on the passing of time.

The collections include around 1,500 watches, movements and cases, more than a hundred longcase, comtoise and pendulum clocks, and 2,000 prints on watchmaking from the 16th to the 19th century. They also comprise tools, machines and scientific equipment, such as quartz resonators from high-technology laboratories.

The route begins on the second floor with the history of the palace and the fireplace room, then continues through the Gallery of Timekeeping, a cabinet of curiosities devoted to watchmaking technique, and the Tapestry Room (Salle de la Tenture), with seven tapestries on the life of Charles V. The third floor traces the development of the watch, notably in the 18th century. The museum received the Qualité Tourisme label in 2024.

Highlights

• 16th-century Granvelle Palace
• Collection of around 1,500 watches, movements and cases
• Gallery of Timekeeping
• Cabinet of curiosities of watchmaking
• Tapestry Room with seven tapestries on Charles V

Permanent exhibitions

• Palais Granvelle et salle de la Tenture – History of the Renaissance palace and a room decorated with seven tapestries on the life of Charles V.
• Galerie de la mesure du temps – Timepieces and instruments tracing the history of timekeeping, from the sundial to the watch.
• Cabinet de curiosité de l'horlogerie – Open storage and a watchmaker's workshop showing how the mechanisms work.

Founded

2002

Operated by

Ville de Besançon

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of each month, evening openings and national events such as European Heritage Days or European Museum Night.

The ticket is a combined ticket giving access to the Musée du Temps, the Musée des Beaux-Arts et d'Archéologie and the Maison Victor Hugo. Payment at the ticket office by Visa or Mastercard, by check with ID, or in cash.

Accessibility

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

The museum holds the Tourisme et Handicap label for motor, hearing and intellectual disabilities. The building is almost entirely accessible: adapted reception and shop, audible beacon at the entrance, accessible restrooms on every floor, tactile studs, guide strips and secure waiting areas with intercom. The audio-video guide offers express tours with audio description, in French Sign Language and for people with reduced mobility. An easy-to-read visitor guide (FALC) is available at reception, as is a video-interpreting interface in French Sign Language. Magnifying glasses, folding seats, wheelchairs and induction loops are lent; advance booking is recommended for wheelchairs and loops. Reserved parking spaces: five in the Place Granvelle car park and one in the Rue de la Préfecture car park.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum offers visits and workshops for young audiences: visits for children from 18 months to 3 years, workshops for ages 3 to 6 and 7 to 10, and breakfasts at the museum during holidays.

Getting there & parking

Annual subscribers of the Ginko network and travelers with a day ticket or day subscription for TER Bourgogne-Franche-Comté receive a reduced rate.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop near the reception.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 500 guests.

Several spaces can host 25 to 500 people for cocktails, dinners, meetings and seminars; a guided visit is included. Contact: privatisations.mat@besancon.fr.

Plan your visit