Musée Pierre-Noël

About the museum

A first museum was founded in Saint-Dié in 1878 and destroyed during the Second World War. The current collections were assembled from 1945, first by the Société philomatique vosgienne, then through purchases by the City. The museum bears the name of Pierre Noël, mayor of the city from 1965 to 1977; an inscription on the modern part of the building recalls its original title, “musée de la vie dans les Hautes-Vosges”.

The building, constructed in 1977 beside the cathedral complex, spreads over three levels. It combines the colonnade of the former bishop’s palace with a modern wing. The museum has held the “Musée de France” label since 2004. A recently renovated wing is devoted to the postwar years and to Le Corbusier’s work in Saint-Dié.

The collections cover archaeology, with excavations of the Celtic camp of La Bure; modernity in architecture, design and fine arts; ornithology; Jules Ferry; regional ethnography and traditional crafts; and military history from 1800 to 1945. Also on show are the Claire and Yvan Goll collection, linked to Surrealism, and abstract works from the 1950s by Zao Wou-Ki, Bazaine, Manessier and Fernand Léger. The city, more than 75% destroyed by the end of the war, is told through its reconstruction.

Highlights

• Reconstruction of Saint-Dié and the work of Le Corbusier and Jean Prouvé
• Claire and Yvan Goll collection, linked to Surrealism
• 1950s abstract painting: Zao Wou-Ki, Bazaine, Manessier, Fernand Léger
• Archaeology of the Celtic camp of La Bure
• Children’s area with the mascot Mupino

Permanent exhibitions

• Les années d'après-guerre et Le Corbusier – The renovated wing is devoted to the postwar years and shows how Le Corbusier and Jean Prouvé shaped the architecture of the rebuilt city.
• Archéologie, histoire et traditions des Vosges – The rooms present archaeology, decorative arts, military history and local traditions, with the excavations of the Celtic camp of La Bure and a section on Jules Ferry.

Operated by

Communauté d'agglomération de Saint-Dié-des-Vosges

Visitors per year

approx. 88,336

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every first Sunday of the month

The Museums-Pass-Musées gives free access. Admission is also free for job seekers, recipients of the RSA, teachers, ICOM card holders, artists (Maison des artistes or Cité internationale des arts), journalists, guides of the Pays d’art et d’histoire and members of partner associations.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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 lift serves all levels, but the modern art mezzanine is not accessible to people with reduced mobility. Sensory tours and art workshops can be arranged on request.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Muséo’Family offers workshops and family activities, and Muséo’Baby offers sensory mornings for children aged 6 months to 3 years. Visit kits, activity booklets and the podcast “La Petite Collecte” are available. A children’s area presents the mascot Mupino and animals of the Vosges fauna.

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

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Room hire for professionals: by day (9:00–18:00) €60 per hour or €430 per day; in the evening (18:00 to midnight) €100 per hour or €480 per evening.

Plan your visit