Musée français de la photographie

About the museum

The museum grew out of an association of amateurs. In 1949, Jean Fage and his son André brought together enthusiasts in the Photo-club du Val de Bièvres. From 1950 onwards they gathered cameras and images to teach the history of photography to club members. This collection was the origin of the museum, which opened on June 7, 1964 during the first photo fair in Bièvres.

In 1972 the General Council of Essonne acquired the Val Profond property, comprising a building of 350 m² and a park of about 5,000 m². The department took over the management of the museum in 1974. The museum holds the “Musée de France” label.

The collections comprise more than 25,000 cameras and objects, around one million images, a library and a technical documentation holding. They illustrate the history of photographic techniques and their social uses, from 1839 to the present day.

The museum is closed for works and no reopening date has been announced. It continues its outreach activities off-site, for example a travelling games library devoted to photography, lent to venues in Essonne.

Highlights

• More than 25,000 photographic cameras and objects
• Around one million images
• History of photographic techniques since 1839
• Library and technical documentation holdings
• Travelling games library about photography

Founded

1964

Operated by

Département de l'Essonne

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Kids & families

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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