Musée municipal de Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val

About the museum

The museum is housed in the Maison romane, in the center of the medieval town of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, on Place de la Halle. This 12th-century building was a former town hall and is considered the oldest secular building in France. The museum carries the “Musée de France” label.

It opened in 1912 and was run by the Société de spéléologie (caving society) from 1936, then by the Société des Amis du Vieux Saint-Antonin (SAVSA) from the 1940s onward. The origin of the museum was a 12th-century ceramic bowl, the bacino, given to the town at the beginning of the 20th century. The collections come mainly from donations by association members and residents, as well as from archaeological excavations.

The collections occupy two levels of the building. One presents carved stones, historical objects and ethnography collections; the other houses prehistory collections from excavations in Saint-Antonin and the surrounding area, along with fossils and insects.

The museum closed in 2016 and partially reopened in 2023. Preliminary studies are under way to plan its extension and renovation. In 2025 it was selected for the Ministry of Culture’s national guide to museums in rural areas.

Highlights

• 12th-century Maison romane, former town hall
• Prehistory collections from local excavations
• Carved stones and ethnography collections
• The bacino, a 12th-century ceramic bowl that was the origin of the museum
• Fossils, insects and local geology

Permanent exhibitions

• Collections lapidaires, historiques et ethnographiques – Carved stones, historical objects and ethnography collections displayed on one level of the Maison romane.
• Collections de préhistoire – Objects from excavations carried out in Saint-Antonin and the surrounding area, displayed on the second level.

Founded

1912

Operated by

Commune de Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val ; visites avec la Société des Amis du Vieux Saint-Antonin (SAVSA)

Admission & discounts

These are the prices for the 2026 Saturday guided tour. Payment by check, cash or online.

Accessibility

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

A very narrow spiral staircase makes the building difficult to access for visitors with reduced mobility.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit