Musée Mathurin-Méheut

About the museum

The museum’s story begins in 1958, shortly after the death of the painter Mathurin Méheut (1882–1958), with the founding of the association “Les Amis de Mathurin Méheut”. Thanks to the studio collection donated by the artist’s heirs, the first museum opened in 1972 in the house known as “du Bourreau” (the Executioner’s House), a 15th-century building in the center of Lamballe. It received the “Musée de France” label in the early 2000s.

When the building became too small, the museum moved to a new building on the grounds of the Haras de Lamballe. In 2014 the museum became a public interest group (groupement d’intérêt public), bringing together the association, the Côtes-d’Armor department, Lamballe Terre & Mer and the town of Lamballe-Armor. An architecture competition followed, won in 2016 by the architect Françoise Mauffret. Work began in 2020, and the new museum opened in June 2022.

The permanent display features around 250 drawings, paintings and ceramics by Mathurin Méheut, rotated regularly to protect the works on paper. It is organized around three themes: nature, everyday life and “elsewhere” (l’ailleurs). Among the major works is the large-format “Les binious”, a wedding scene from the Pont-l’Abbé region, restored in 2023. Multimedia tools complement the visit. The museum is equipped for visitors with disabilities and in 2024 received the Tourisme et Handicap label for all four types of disability.

Highlights

• Around 250 works by Mathurin Méheut: drawings, paintings, ceramics
• Large-format “Les binious”, a wedding scene restored in 2023
• Route organized around three themes: nature, everyday life, elsewhere
• Free audio guides in French and English
• Tourisme et Handicap label for all four types of disability
• Contemporary building within the Haras de Lamballe

Founded

1972

Operated by

Groupement d’intérêt public (GIP) musée Mathurin Méheut

Admission & discounts

Admission is free, except during events, with a valid card: teachers (Éducation nationale card), Friends of Mathurin Méheut, Culture Zatous, Bretagne Musées members, ICOM card holders, Ministry of Culture staff, press, Maison des Artistes members and tour guides. Payment by bank card, check, cash or ANCV holiday vouchers; the Pass Culture is accepted. Events have their own prices.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description

Museum with the Tourisme et Handicap label for all four types of disability. Single-level building with ramp access, benches in the rooms, folding chairs and wheelchairs available to borrow. Induction loops at reception, in the rooms and on the audio guides; video clips in French Sign Language and sign-language tours for groups. Information sheets with raised-line reproductions, texts in Braille and large print, audio descriptions available by QR code, texts in français facile à lire (easy-to-read French). Visit booklet and map to download.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Free activity booklets and family kits at reception, multimedia kiosks, books to browse and games along the route. Children’s workshops during the holidays, for example “Paysage en bois” (wooden landscape), and hands-on art workshops.

Getting there & parking

By car: RN 12, Plancoët exit (D768). Bicycle racks in front of the museum. The museum is located in the grounds of the Haras de Lamballe.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi available at reception and in the exhibition rooms. Shop with books, posters, catalogues and postcards. Cloakroom compulsory for backpacks, large bags and motorcycle helmets; only handbags are allowed in the galleries. Rooms are air-conditioned at 19 °C to preserve the works.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit