Musée Géo-Charles

About the museum

The Musée Géo-Charles was founded in 1982, when the town of Échirolles received as a donation the collections and archives of the poet Géo-Charles, bequeathed by his widow Lucienne. It was initially conceived as a museum of sport, culture and contemporary art.

The building is a manor house, mentioned as early as 1842 as the residence of the director of the Viscose factories. A renovation carried out in 2000 made it possible to present the permanent display around the figure of Géo-Charles, who was interested in what he called “art athlétique”.

Géo-Charles was an Olympic poet at the 1924 Paris Games and frequented the literary and artistic avant-gardes of his time. His collection brings together paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints from the first half of the 20th century, notably by artists of the École de Paris, and illustrates the themes of sport, literature and modern art.

In 2003, the Ministry of Culture granted the museum the “Musée de France” designation by order. Since 2021, it has been part of the public institution Le TRACé, which also includes the Centre du graphisme and the Musée de la Viscose. It also hosts contemporary art exhibitions.

Highlights

• Géo-Charles collection of modern art and sport
• Works by Derain, Delaunay, Léger, Lhote, Metzinger or Survage
• 19th-century manor house linked to the Viscose factories
• Dialogue between contemporary art and the historical collection
• Free admission

Permanent exhibition

• Collection Géo-Charles – Paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints from the first half of the 20th century, gathered by the poet Géo-Charles around the École de Paris, sport and literature.

Founded

1982

Operated by

Le TRACé (établissement public administratif de la ville d'Échirolles)

Visitors per year

approx. 7,892

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free.

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

The museum is announced as accessible to people with reduced mobility.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

From Lyon by car: take the A48, then the A480, exit 6.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit