Musée des Arts Naïfs et Populaires de Noyers

About the museum

The museum grew out of the bequest of Jean-Étienne Miltiade Simmonet de Bresse de Préfontaine, a scholar who left his property to the town of Noyers at his death in 1876, to found a museum and a library. The museum was established in 1881 in a former college. It still houses the amateur collections of its founder: paintings, furniture, prints, casts, medals and plans.

In 1987 the donation by the artist Jacques Yankel, son of the painter Kikoïne, gave the museum new momentum with around a hundred naive-art canvases. In 2001 it was supplemented by a deposit from the Fonds national d'art contemporain, a series of antifascist works by Déchelette, and in 2005 by a deposit of 60 naive canvases from the collection of Jean-Marc Luce. More than 120 ex-votos are also on display. Together these make Noyers the first painting museum in the Yonne department.

The museum also presents folk arts from southern Europe, Asia and Latin America, from the donation of Jacqueline Selz and Yvon Taillandier, as well as lithographed tin boxes from the collection of Serge Moreau, terracotta miniatures by Albert Niedzviedz and Hokusai albums given in 1920. The collections occupy 1,500 m² across three floors.

Highlights

• Donation of naive art by the painter Yankel (Bombois, Bauchant, Nikifor, Vivin)
• Antifascist works by Déchelette
• More than 120 ex-votos
• Folk arts from southern Europe, Asia and Latin America
• Hokusai albums, given in 1920
• Collection of lithographed tin boxes

Permanent exhibition

• Collections d'art naïf et d'arts populaires – The collections occupy three floors: the founder's cabinet of curiosities, naive art, ex-votos, folk arts, tin boxes and Hokusai albums.

Founded

1881

Operated by

Commune de Noyers

Admission & discounts

Prices from before the closure for works; reopening prices have not been announced.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is not accessible to people with reduced mobility because of numerous steps. Animals are not admitted, except assistance dogs.

Kids & families

The museum is closed for works until April 3, 2027.

Getting there & parking

Address: 25 rue de l'Église, 89310 Noyers. Parking is available nearby, including for coaches.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Events & venue rental

The museum is closed for works until April 3, 2027.

Plan your visit