Musée Monseigneur Pigneau de Behaine

About the museum

The building is known as the birthplace of Pierre Pigneau de Behaine (1741–1799), Bishop of Adran and missionary in Cochinchina. It is documented as early as 1628; its façade dates from the 17th century and was probably remodelled in the 18th century. Sold in 1823, it served as a presbytery before being declared unfit for habitation in 1862. Abbé Jules Jardinier bought it in 1865 and had a neo-Gothic west façade built, decorated with sculptures and the arms of the Bishop of Adran.

After a threat of demolition in 1910, the Société de Géographie de Paris acquired the house in 1911, restored it and assembled a collection there. The museum opened on June 1, 1914. In 1953 the Society gave the building and the collections to the commune of Origny-en-Thiérache. The holdings include family objects, souvenirs of the missionary and works on South-East Asia; they recall the prelate’s political and diplomatic role in Cochinchina, notably around the 1787 treaty. The museum has held the “Musée de France” label since 2003.

According to the commune, the museum has been closed to the public for several years, pending restoration.

Highlights

• Birthplace of Monseigneur Pigneau de Behaine, documented since 1628
• Neo-Gothic façade bearing the arms of the Bishop of Adran
• Painted hangings from the 1860s–1870s kept in the upper hall
• Souvenirs of the missionary and books on South-East Asia

Founded

1914

Operated by

Commune d'Origny-en-Thiérache

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