Musée Médard

About the museum

The Musée Médard in Lunel has been open to the public since December 2013. It is devoted to the history of its collections, to books, and to the arts and crafts linked to written heritage, such as bookbinding, engraving, calligraphy and illumination.

At the heart of the museum is the study of the bibliophile Louis Médard (1768-1841), where you can see an authentic 19th-century library preserved in its entirety. Louis Médard devoted much of his life to gathering rare and precious books in order to bequeath them to his home town. The collection holds 4,871 volumes dating from the 12th to the 19th century, manuscripts and printed works.

The route also presents fine bindings by leading Parisian and Montpellier craftsmen of the 19th century, a collection of gilding tools, prints and picture albums, and objects and tools illustrating the techniques of books and printing. On the second floor, the cabinet of curiosities shows how passionate collectors worked. The museum holds the “Musée de France” label.

Highlights

• Louis Médard's library, preserved in its entirety
• More than 4,800 volumes from the 12th to the 19th century
• Fine bindings and a collection of gilding tools
• Cabinet of curiosities on the second floor
• Free admission

Permanent exhibitions

• La bibliothèque de Louis Médard – The bibliophile's cabinet at the heart of the museum, with a 19th-century library preserved in its entirety.
• Le cabinet des curieux – On the second floor, a look at how passionate collectors such as Louis Médard worked.

Founded

2013

Operated by

Ville de Lunel

Visitors per year

approx. 9,322

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free for individual visits, guided tours, lectures and workshops for children and families. School groups from Grande Section to lycée are welcome free of charge, by reservation.

Accessibility

• 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
• Audio description: no information

The museum states that it is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility, with an elevator. A reserved parking space is in the Jean Moulin car park, 200 m away. The museum holds the Tourisme et Handicap label. The museum presentation is available in easy-to-read French.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The museum welcomes families with discovery booklets, workshops and tours for everyone. Light strollers are allowed in the rooms, but not back carriers or bulky strollers. The museum has signed the Môm'Art charter and is part of the musées joyeux network.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the historic center of Lunel, opposite the Notre-Dame-du-Lac church. The historic center is reserved for pedestrians.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Bookshop and gift shop on the first floor, with books from the collection; payment by cash, cheque or bank card.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit