Musée du Train miniature
Large 200 m² animated HO-scale model railway with scenery, automata and thousands of figures created by Patrick Crolle.
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About the museum
The museum presents the work of a train and model enthusiast, Patrick Crolle. The passion began in the 1980s on a kitchen table, and construction of the large layout in Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne started in 1999. The show, begun in 1980 according to the museum, has been open to the public since July 2000 and continues to evolve.
The layout covers 200 m² and reproduces, at HO scale 1:87, hundreds of buildings in real or imaginary landscapes. It includes 1 km of track, 35 train sets, 400 wagons, thousands of lights, more than 8,000 figures and hundreds of automata that create animated scenes of everyday life. Road traffic adds to the realism, and a starry sky lights the mountain.
The route evokes several worlds: the Brotteaux railway-station quarter in Lyon, with the Boulevard des Belges leading to the Tête d’Or park, a train heading south towards the Mediterranean, the Alps and Provence. Visitors are invited to take the driver's seat and discover this animated world.
Highlights
- Animated 200 m² layout at HO scale 1:87
- 1 km of track, 35 train sets and 400 wagons
- More than 8,000 figures and hundreds of automata
- Scenery of the Alps, Provence and the Lyon Brotteaux quarter
- Open to the public since July 2000
Permanent exhibition
- Grande maquette ferroviaire animée – 200 m² HO-scale layout with the worlds of the Lyon Brotteaux quarter, the Alps and Provence, trains in motion and many animated scenes.
- Founded
- 2000
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €8 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €4Rate of €4 for children aged 4 to 12. |
| Groups (15+ people) | €6 per personPrice per person for groups of more than 15 people: €6 for adults and €4 for children. By appointment all year round. |
Indicative prices according to the museum's website. Payment by cheque, cash or card.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
According to the museum's website, the venue is accessible to visitors with disabilities.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 60 min |
|---|
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Parking nearby; coaches can access the site.
The museum is on Place des Halles, in the centre of Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The venue is air-conditioned. The museum's website does not mention Wi-Fi for visitors.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | no |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Free visit. The museum's website gives an estimated duration of one hour. Language spoken: French. |
