Musée national de l'Éducation

About the museum

The Musée national de l’Éducation, known as Munaé, is the successor of the State Pedagogical Museum, founded in Paris in 1879 under the impetus of Jules Ferry. It now belongs to the Réseau Canopé and holds the “Musée de France” label. It brings together material and intangible evidence of school and family education in France and its former colonies, from the 16th century to the present day.

Its holdings exceed 950,000 objects and documents, making it the largest collection of educational heritage in Europe. The museum is free and spread across two sites in Rouen.

The exhibition centre occupies the Maison des Quatre Fils Aymon, a Gothic house from the 1470s–1480s built by a wealthy local notable. It later belonged to textile families and then to innkeepers, and fell into serious disrepair. Its assignment to the Ministry of Education in 1977 saved it, and it has housed the exhibition centre since 1983. The permanent display “Cinq siècles d’école, lire, écrire et compter” follows the history of the classroom, from the small parish school to the municipal school, with a reconstruction of a pre-1914 classroom.

The resource centre, in a contemporary building north of the city centre, houses 2,500 m² of storage across five floors, a study and research library and a lecture hall.

Highlights

• Permanent display “Cinq siècles d’école, lire, écrire et compter”
• Reconstruction of a Third Republic classroom
• Gothic Maison des Quatre Fils Aymon (1470s–1480s)
• More than 950,000 objects and documents on education
• 2,500 m² of storage, visitable by appointment and during events

Permanent exhibition

• Cinq siècles d'école, lire, écrire et compter – Permanent display on school history, from the small parish school to the municipal school, with a reconstructed Third Republic classroom.

Founded

1879

Operated by

Réseau Canopé (ministère de l'Éducation nationale)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the museum is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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

A lift serves all floors. Accessible parking spaces are located in the neighbouring streets (Place Saint-Vivien, Rue Armand Carrel, Rue des Faulx) and at the entrance to the resource centre. Induction loops are available on request; visit aids are provided in large print, in simplified French and in the “Facile à Lire et à Comprendre” (easy-to-read) version. Handling cases for groups contain school objects from earlier times.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

The museum has signed the Môm’Art charter. There is a play corner and a desk at reception for trying out writing with a quill pen, a reading and games corner, and activity booklets for some temporary exhibitions. Toilets with a baby-changing table and potty, and bottle warmers on request. Workshops for young audiences during school holidays (currently cancelled during the closure). Activities for 15- to 21-year-olds via the pass Culture app.

Getting there & parking

Lovélo bike-sharing station at Place Saint-Vivien and bike racks near the entrance. The resource centre is a 10-minute walk from Rouen station.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Lockers

Bookshop at the exhibition centre. Lockers for bags and bulky items.

Events & venue rental

The exhibition centre remains closed until further notice following a technical problem.

Plan your visit