Musée d'Art et d'Histoire d'Amboise

About the museum

The Musée d’Art et d’Histoire d’Amboise occupies the Hôtel Morin, built between 1501 and 1505 for Pierre Morin, trésorier de France under Louis XII and mayor of Amboise. In the 18th century the building became the residence of the de Choiseul family; it was later used as a barracks, then as the town hall from the Revolution until the 1970s. It has been a listed historic monument since 1880.

The museum was created and organized in 1925 by Dr Caillet and has occupied the hôtel since 1970, according to the Amboise tourist office. Its collections, partly on loan from the State, evoke the past of Amboise: decorative arts, furniture, sculpture and local and regional history. The museum holds the “Musée de France” label.

Highlights include the Vierge au Beffroi, a 16th-century sculpture, royal autographs of Charles VIII, Francis I and Louis XII, Aubusson tapestries and plans of the former Château de Chanteloup, paintings of Amboise from different periods, and a room devoted to Leonardo da Vinci. The Pezon et Michel fishing rods, which Hemingway compared to a “Rolls-Royce”, and the collections of the former Postal Museum are also on display.

Highlights

• Renaissance Hôtel Morin (1501–1505)
• Room devoted to Leonardo da Vinci
• Autographs of Charles VIII, Francis I and Louis XII
• Vierge au Beffroi, 16th-century sculpture
• Aubusson tapestries and plans of the Château de Chanteloup
• Pezon et Michel fishing rods

Permanent exhibitions

• Souvenirs royaux et salle Léonard de Vinci – Autographs of Charles VIII, Francis I and Louis XII, and a room devoted to Leonardo da Vinci.
• Amboise et le château de Chanteloup – Paintings of Amboise from different periods, Aubusson tapestries and plans of the former Château de Chanteloup, along with the 16th-century Vierge au Beffroi.
• Cannes à pêche Pezon et Michel et ancien musée de la Poste – Fishing rods from the house of Pezon et Michel and collections from the former Postal Museum.

Founded

1925

Operated by

Ville d'Amboise

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission according to the Amboise tourist office, without reservation.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• 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

According to the Amboise tourist office, the museum offers no facilities for people with reduced mobility.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

A fun guided tour with quizzes on the works is designed for children.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on Rue François Ier in the town centre, a few minutes’ walk from the Château d’Amboise.

Amenities & dining

Animals are not admitted.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit