Musée du Vitrail
Museum of Grand Poitiers in a church in Curzay-sur-Vonne, dedicated to stained glass, with an educational workshop and exhibitions.
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About the museum
The Musée du Vitrail was set up in 1988 in the extension of the Saint-Martin church in Curzay-sur-Vonne, a project born from the encounter between the municipality and a workshop of master glassmakers. It was first run by an association, then by the Communauté de communes du Pays Mélusin from 2009, and since 2017 by the Communauté urbaine Grand Poitiers.
The museum is one of the few institutions in France devoted entirely to stained glass. It presents this art in its historical, artistic and technical dimensions and highlights contemporary creation. The permanent display on the first floor includes an introduction to the techniques, a 19th-century room, an Art Nouveau space and a contemporary space.
The second floor is reserved for temporary exhibitions. An educational workshop offers classes and courses on glass and stained glass.
Highlights
- Permanent display from the Middle Ages to contemporary creation
- 19th-century and Art Nouveau stained glass
- Educational workshop with glass-gluing activities
- Museum in the extension of a listed church
Permanent exhibition
- Parcours permanent – Introduction to the techniques, 19th-century room, Art Nouveau space and contemporary space on the first floor.
- Founded
- 1988
- Operated by
- Grand Poitiers Communauté urbaine
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4.50Young people aged 11 to 17 inclusive and students under 26. |
| Children & teens | €4.50free up to age 10 · Free up to and including age 10; reduced rate from age 11 to 17. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree admission for visitors with disabilities. |
| Students & apprentices | €4.50Students under 26. |
| Glass-gluing workshop (from age 6), by reservation | €5.50Per participant, 1 hour. |
| Glass-cutting workshop, 2 hours (from age 9) | €11€8 per child up to age 16. |
| Decorated mirror for two (from age 6) | €11Price for two people, 1 hour. |
Free admission: Last Sunday of the month
The ticket includes the permanent display with audio guide, a visit to the educational workshop and a guided tour of the temporary exhibition at 15:30. Free admission under certain conditions also applies to recipients of minimum social benefits (minima sociaux), members of the Maison des artistes, museum staff and tour guides. The price page also lists Saturdays among the conditions for the reduced rate. An adult glass-gluing or glass-cutting workshop entitles participants to a museum visit for €4.50 on the same day.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The permanent display is on the first floor. The second floor, which houses the temporary exhibitions, can only be reached by stairs, but a film about the exhibition is offered to visitors with reduced mobility. Animals are not allowed, except guide dogs.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 10 |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
A children’s audio guide is included in the ticket. The workshop offers glass-gluing sessions for children aged 3 and up, accompanied by an adult (reservation required), and the museum runs activities for children during school holidays.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Shop with glass objects, stained-glass jewellery and souvenirs, free entry. A drinking fountain is available in the workshop; the museum is not air-conditioned.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 30 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (FR, EN) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The adult audio guide is available in French and English (about 1 hour), the children’s one in French (about 45 minutes). The workshop visit lasts about 20 minutes. The guided tour of the temporary exhibition at 15:30 lasts 30 minutes. Animals, including small dogs, are not allowed, except guide dogs. |
