Musée international de la chaussure
Museum in Romans-sur-Isère, housed in the former Visitation convent, presenting shoes from every period and many countries.
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About the museum
The museum is located in Romans-sur-Isère, a town known for leatherwork and shoemaking. It occupies the former Convent of the Visitation, a historic setting for a collection devoted to a familiar and universal object.
The collections show shoes in every form: from the oldest to the most contemporary, from the most classic to the most extravagant, as well as models from other cultures. The oldest piece is an Egyptian sandal made of papyrus fibre, more than 3,000 years old. Among the pieces on display are creations by renowned houses, including Louboutin, André Pérugia, Charles Jourdan, Robert Clergerie and Stéphane Kélian.
The route begins with a fitting salon where visitors can try on a variety of models. The museum serves both as a source of inspiration for professionals and as a showcase for the makers and bootmakers of yesterday and today. It offers themed tours, workshops and activities for families and schools, and has been awarded the Qualité Tourisme label.
Highlights
- Egyptian papyrus sandal, more than 3,000 years old
- Creations by Louboutin, André Pérugia, Charles Jourdan, Robert Clergerie and Stéphane Kélian
- Fitting salon for trying on shoes
- Former Convent of the Visitation
- Shoes from around the world: China, India, Manchuria
- Children’s audio guide and free activity booklets
Permanent exhibition
- Collections permanentes du musée de la chaussure – Shoes from every era and many countries, from the most classic to the most extravagant, in the former Convent of the Visitation.
- Operated by
- Ville de Romans-sur-Isère
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4.50Students, people with disabilities, recipients of social minimum benefits, job seekers and holders of the Pass éducation |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for children under 18. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €4.50The reduced rate applies to people with disabilities. |
| Students & apprentices | €4.50 |
| Groups (15+ people) | €5.50 per personRate per person for groups of 15 or more. |
| Annual pass (unlimited access for one year) | €12An audio guide is included free when you subscribe. |
| Themed tour or workshop (from) | €4.50 |
| Children’s audio guide | €1 |
Free admission: First Sunday of the month, except in July and August.
Free admission also for journalists and holders of the ICOM card. The ticket entitles you to a free visit of the museum. Payment by bank card, cash, cheque, ANCV holiday vouchers, Pass’Culture, Pass’Région, Top Départ and Pass Patrimoine. Tickets available on site or online.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- 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 partly accessible to people with reduced mobility. A lift takes visitors to the upper floor with the help of a reception staff member. Walking sticks with built-in seats are available along the route. Accessible parking spaces are less than 50 metres from the entrance. Animals are not admitted.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
Children’s audio guide, free activity booklets at reception, a team detective game with a tablet, family visit-workshops during the holidays and some weekends. A fitting salon lets children try on shoes.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Cars: Espace Triboulet, Gambetta and République car parks. Coaches: boulevard Jourdan-Voltaire. Accessible parking spaces less than 50 metres from the entrance, rue Bistour. Electric vehicle charging points are marked on the site map.
- Accessible parking
For cyclists, the Vélobox Chrono facility is on Square Nelson-Mandela, less than 50 metres from the museum.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The museum shop is freely accessible and offers miniature shoes, jewellery, small leather goods, books and creations made for the museum. The museum can hold cyclists’ bags during the visit.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (FR, EN, DE, NL) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The entrance ticket entitles you to a free visit. Themed tours and workshops take place all year round, booked at the museum. Guided tours for adult groups are booked through the tourist office Valence Romans Tourisme. In October, a 20-minute flash tour with a mediator is included in the ticket. Visits and workshops for schools, with an educational programme for 2026–2027. |
