Musée franco-américain du château de Blérancourt

About the museum

The château of Blérancourt was built between 1612 and 1619 by the architect Salomon de Brosse for the Potier de Gesvres family. It is one of the first examples of classical architecture. During the Revolution it was seized as national property and largely demolished, but the monumental gateway and two pavilions on the terrace were preserved.

After the First World War, the American Anne Morgan, who was involved in rebuilding Picardy, restored what remained of the château to host American donors. With her friend Anne Murray Dike, she founded the “musée historique franco-américain” in 1924, which recalls French help for American independence and American support during the war of 1914–1918. A north wing was rebuilt in 1930, and a pavilion dedicated to American volunteers was erected in 1938.

The museum was renovated in 1989 and then substantially transformed between 2006 and 2017. The new building, opened in 2017, links the two wings with a glazed hall and doubles the exhibition space. The permanent collections are organised around three themes: the ideals of the Enlightenment, the hardships the two countries faced side by side in wartime, and artistic exchanges between the two countries. The estate also includes the Gardens of the New World and an arboretum.

Highlights

• Three-theme route: Ideals, Trials and Arts
• Collection of images of Native Americans
• Anne Morgan photograph collection on the Great War
• Anne Morgan Pavilion, a guest house from the 1920s
• Gardens of the New World, with plants of American origin
• Château by Salomon de Brosse from the early 17th century

Permanent exhibitions

• Idéaux – Section on the ideals of liberty and democracy born of the Enlightenment, which lay behind the first alliances between France and the United States.
• Épreuves – Section on French support for American independence, followed by American help during the two world wars.
• Arts – Section on American artists who trained in France in the 19th and 20th centuries, and on artistic exchanges between the two countries.

Founded

1924

Operated by

Service des Musées de France

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the museum and the Gardens of the New World is free. Paid educational packages are available for school groups (for example €168 per class for a four-hour package); guided talks must be booked in advance.

Accessibility

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

Two-hour sensory visits for groups of blind or partially sighted people, with a tactile tour of the collections and a walk through the gardens (June to October). Booking required three months in advance; free admission for the person with a disability and their companion; maximum 15 people per group.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum regularly offers activities for children as part of its cultural programme.

Getting there & parking

By car: from the A1, exit no. 10 towards Noyon, then the D 934; from the A26, exit no. 12 towards Courbes, then Soissons. A restaurant, Le Griffon, is on the Place du Général Leclerc.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Online shop (E-boutique).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit