Musée Nicéphore-Niépce

About the museum

The museum is devoted to the history of photography in the town where Nicéphore Niépce lived. The collections linked to the inventor were first kept by the Société d’histoire et d’archéologie de Chalon-sur-Saône and shown at the Musée Vivant Denon. In 1972 the town decided to create a venue entirely devoted to photography.

It moved to the banks of the Saône, on the Quai des Messageries, into a former building associated with public stagecoaches and diligences. The museum is run by the City of Chalon-sur-Saône and has since built up a collection of photographs, cameras and documents.

The storerooms hold nearly three million photographs and objects. The permanent route follows the history of the image, from Niépce's invention to digital photography, with a room devoted to the inventor, interactive displays, and sections on processes, the illustrated press, relief photography and contemporary creation. The museum is also preparing temporary exhibitions and a programme for the bicentenary of the invention of photography.

Highlights

• Room devoted to Nicéphore Niépce and the Chambre de la Découverte
• Hasselblad 500 EL “Electric Lunar Surface” from 1968
• Photograph of a human shadow on the Moon, taken in 1971
• Route from the invention of photography to the digital image
• Free admission to the museum

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours permanent : de l'invention de la photographie à l'image numérique – The route traces the history of photography, with a room devoted to Nicéphore Niépce, interactive displays, early processes, the illustrated press, relief photography and contemporary creation.

Founded

1972

Operated by

Ville de Chalon-sur-Saône

Visitors per year

approx. 30,000

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the museum is free. Guided tours are free, on proof, for under-18s, students up to age 28, job seekers, RSA recipients, holders of a disability card (carte d’invalidité) and members of certain friends-of-museums associations or of ICOM. Tours for children's groups, school groups and students, workshops for young audiences, lectures and evening events are free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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

The museum provides information by telephone or email on how reception is arranged for different types of disability.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The museum offers programmes for children and families, as well as workshops by age group, free for young audiences. The route includes interactive displays that explain the principles of photography.

Getting there & parking

The museum's website offers a route planner from the museum's address: 28 quai des Messageries, 71100 Chalon-sur-Saône.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Bookshop on site.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Exhibition rooms are available for hire by the hour, at different rates for non-profit associations and for profit-making organisations; quotes are available from the communications department.

Plan your visit