Musée Jeanne-d’Albret
Association-run museum in Orthez, housed in Jeanne d’Albret's former home, presenting four centuries of Protestant history in Béarn.
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About the museum
The museum grew out of an association founded in 1991 to present to the public the collections gathered by the Centre d’étude du protestantisme béarnais (Study Centre for Protestantism in Béarn). It opened in 1995 in Orthez, the former intellectual capital of Béarnese Protestantism, in two rooms on the third floor of Jeanne d’Albret's house, made available by the town.
In 2002, a new agreement with the town made the museum a municipal museum. Two rooms on the second floor were assigned to it, the permanent exhibition's space doubled, and the former reception area became a library.
The house, built between the 15th and 16th centuries, was given to Queen Jeanne d’Albret in 1555. It is listed as a historic monument and bears the Maison des Illustres label (a label for houses of notable figures). Access is by a stone spiral staircase in an octagonal turret. A well and a 17th-century dovecote survive in the courtyard, and the garden wall retains a remnant of the town's ramparts.
The permanent exhibition traces the history of the Huguenots of Béarn and of France, from the beginnings of the Reformation to the early 20th century: wars of religion, persecution, clandestine worship, secularism, missions. It recalls Jeanne d’Albret and her children, as well as figures such as Élisée Reclus or Félix Pécaut.
Highlights
- Jeanne d’Albret's house from the 15th–16th centuries, with a stone spiral staircase
- Permanent display on Protestantism in Béarn, from the Reformation to the early 20th century
- Collections of prints, medals, documents and photographs
- Guided tour of about 1 hour 30 minutes, with audio guide available
- Garden and courtyard with a well and a 17th-century dovecote
Permanent exhibition
- Exposition permanente : histoire du protestantisme béarnais – The route traces four centuries of Protestantism in Béarn, from the origins of the Reformation to the early 20th century.
- Founded
- 1995
- Operated by
- Ville d'Orthez (musée municipal, géré avec l'association Musée Jeanne d'Albret)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4Students and job seekers |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Free for children up to 15 years old. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €5.50 per personGuided group visits by appointment, from 10 people, €5.50 per person; two accompanying adults free; booking at least 15 days in advance. |
| Guided tour supplement (booking recommended) | €3 |
| Audio guide supplement | €2Several languages available. |
| “Ticket suspendu”: one admission given to another visitor | €2€2 supplement to give a museum admission to someone else. |
Free admission: European Heritage Days
Full price of €6 for self-guided visits. Payment in cash, by cheque, with Chèques-Vacances or by bank card.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 15 |
|---|
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
A playful discovery booklet is available free of charge at reception on request for visiting the museum as a family. Children up to 15 years old enter free of charge.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
A bookshop counter is located at reception. The museum also has a library.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours start at 15:00 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from April 1 to October 31. Groups of 10 or more are welcomed by appointment, in French or in Béarnese. Schools can book educational workshops of about 1 hour, from primary school to sixth form (lycée). |
