Musée Jeanne-d'Aboville

About the museum

The museum owes its origins to Countess Gabrielle-Uranie d'Héricourt de Valincourt, who came from La Fère. By her will in 1860 she bequeathed her painting collection to the town, on condition that the institution bear the name of her mother, Jeanne d'Aboville. Some of the works were shown as early as 1869, and the present building was constructed in the 1880s.

The collection, assembled in only a few years by an amateur, offers a panorama of painting from several periods and schools, with a unity of tone and a marked taste for nature. It suffered greatly from conflict: the war of 1870, the First World War, which led to the evacuation and partial destruction of the museum, and then the Second World War. Of some 550 paintings and art objects bequeathed, a little under 400 paintings remain, about a hundred of which are on permanent display.

The collection includes Flemish and German Primitives of the 15th and 16th centuries, many works of the Dutch Golden Age and the Antwerp school, as well as Italian paintings and French painting of the 18th century. Later, a bequest from excavations at Versigny added a department of local archaeology, from prehistory to the early Middle Ages. The museum holds the Musée de France label and belongs to the town of La Fère.

Highlights

• Room of the Primitives with the Crucifixion attributed to Albrecht Dürer
• The Both family triptych by Aertgen van Leyden
• Still lifes and landscapes of the Dutch and Flemish Golden Age
• Portrait of Madame Adélaïde by Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun
• Archaeology area with the bronze crupellaire from Versigny

Operated by

Ville de La Fère

Visitors per year

approx. 2,101

Admission & discounts

Free admission with proof for school groups (by reservation), visitors under 18, 18–25-year-olds from the European Union, job seekers, recipients of minimum social benefits (minima sociaux), members of ICOM, ICOMOS and AGCCPF, holders of the Pass Éducation, staff of museums and of INHA, journalists, professional artists and lecturers. Payment in cash, by cheque or by bank card; chèques-vacances are not accepted.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• 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 museum spans three levels connected by stairs, with no lift; it is not accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly: not available

Children receive a booklet of games and a box of coloured pencils on arrival. The museum also offers an escape game for primary and secondary school groups (1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours) and a Christmas event with a short tour, treasure hunt and drawing workshop. Strollers are not accepted.

Getting there & parking

Address: 5 rue du Général de Gaulle, 02800 La Fère. Visitors presenting their TER ticket receive a €1 discount.

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