Le Carroi, musée d'arts et d'histoire
History and art museum in Chinon, housed in the building where the Estates General met in 1428, with a portrait of Rabelais by Delacroix.
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About the museum
The Chinon museum was founded in 1906 to bring together the collections assembled over the years by scholars and enthusiasts of the Amis du Vieux Chinon association. In 1914 a state deposit from the château of Azay-le-Rideau enriched it with medieval and modern statues and woodwork. The town then deposited its works, among them a portrait of Rabelais, a native of Chinon, painted by Eugène Delacroix, as well as the so-called Chape de Saint-Mexme.
In 1973 the museum moved into the Maison des États généraux in the heart of the medieval town, after the building was restored under the Loi Malraux. It was in this building that the Estates General convened by Charles VII met in 1428. At the end of 2008, an agreement between the association and the town handed the management of the museum to the municipality, while the collections remained the property of the Amis du Vieux Chinon. Management was transferred to the Chinon, Vienne et Loire communauté de communes in 2014.
The museum illustrates the history of Chinon and its area, from prehistory to the 19th century, with archaeological objects, works of art and everyday objects. Since 2021 it has worked together with the Musée du Véron, the other Musée de France of the communauté de communes. Le Carroi also hosts temporary exhibitions.
Highlights
- Portrait of Rabelais painted by Eugène Delacroix
- Chape de Saint-Mexme, an Oriental silk from the 11th–12th centuries decorated with chained cheetahs
- Building where the Estates General met in 1428
- Collections on Chinon’s history from prehistory to the 19th century
Permanent exhibition
- Collections d'arts et d'histoire de Chinon – Works of art and objects illustrating the history of Chinon and its area, from prehistory to the 19th century, including the Delacroix portrait of Rabelais and the Chape de Saint-Mexme.
- Founded
- 1906
- Operated by
- Communauté de communes Chinon, Vienne et Loire
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2.50Children aged 6 to 18, students, recipients of minimum social benefits, job seekers, teachers |
| Children & teens | €2.50free up to age 5 · Reduced rate for ages 6 to 18; free for children under 6. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free for one person with a disability and one companion. |
| Students & apprentices | €2.50 |
| Families | €11Family package. |
| Guided tour, lecture, workshop or event day, full price | €5 |
| Guided tour, lecture, workshop or event day, reduced rate | €2.50 |
| Two-museum ticket (Musée du Véron and Le Carroi), full price, valid for the whole season | €5 |
| Two-museum ticket (Musée du Véron and Le Carroi), reduced rate, valid for the whole season | €3.50 |
| Two-museum annual pass (unlimited access to both museums and one cultural activity, valid for one year) | €10 |
Free admission: First Sunday of the month (prices for the season from May 1 to September 20, 2026).
Free for children under 6. Payment accepted by bank card, cheque, ANCV holiday vouchers, cash and administrative mandate (mandat administratif).
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
Nearby: the Loire à Vélo cycle route, walking and mountain-biking trails, a playground and picnic area, and an aire for motorhomes.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Lockers
- Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi, museum shop, luggage storage, a terrace next to the museum where you can picnic, bicycle parking. Dogs are not allowed.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The museum offers guided tours, lectures, workshops and event days (charged separately from the admission ticket). |
