Hôtel Cabu – musée d'Histoire et d'Archéologie d'Orléans

About the museum

The Musée historique et archéologique de l’Orléanais was founded in 1823 by André Gaspard Parfait de Bizemont-Prunelé, deputy mayor of Orléans, and opened to the public in 1825. From 1826, its collections of decorative arts, archaeology and history were kept at the Musée des Beaux-Arts, in the former Hôtel des Créneaux.

In 1862, the city bought the Hôtel Cabu to house these collections. This Renaissance mansion, attributed to the architect Jacques Androuet du Cerceau, was built around 1550 for Philippe Cabu, a lawyer at the Châtelet. Its courtyard façade has three storeys and three superimposed orders, characteristic of the Henri II style. It was spared by the bombing of 1940.

The museum is known for the Neuvy-en-Sullias treasure, a set of Gallo-Roman and Gaulish bronzes discovered in 1861. It also presents a room devoted to the port of Orléans, collections on medieval history, the statuary of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire and Germigny-des-Prés, the iconography of Joan of Arc, porcelain, ceramics and pewter by local craftsmen, as well as popular prints printed in Orléans since the 17th century. It holds the “Musée de France” label.

Highlights

• Treasure of Gallo-Roman bronzes from Neuvy-en-Sullias
• Hôtel Cabu, Renaissance mansion (c. 1550)
• Room devoted to the port of Orléans
• Statuary from Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire and Germigny-des-Prés
• Iconography of Joan of Arc
• Popular prints printed in Orléans

Permanent exhibitions

• Trésor de Neuvy-en-Sullias – Set of Gallo-Roman and Gaulish bronzes discovered in 1861, a major piece of the museum.
• Orléans, son port et son histoire médiévale – A room devoted to the port of Orléans and collections on the Middle Ages, with the statuary of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire and Germigny-des-Prés.
• Iconographie de Jeanne d'Arc – Images and objects relating to Joan of Arc, as well as popular prints printed in Orléans.

Founded

1823

Operated by

Ville d'Orléans

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of each month

A single ticket gives same-day access to the Musée des Beaux-Arts, the Centre Jeanne d’Arc and the Hôtel Cabu, including exhibitions, events and workshops. Discounts and free admission are available upon proof presented at the desk; some are not sold online.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• 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 building has no lift; only the temporary exhibition rooms on the ground floor are accessible by wheelchair. Folding seats are lent at reception on request.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The Orléans museums offer family workshops, some free for children, as well as a youth program.

Getting there & parking

Bicycle parking in front of the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check
• Lockers

Backpacks and bulky items must be left at the cloakroom or in lockers. Bicycle parking in front of the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit