Musée Renaudot
Loudun museum in the house of Théophraste Renaudot, founder of the French press, with a printing workshop and a troglodytic cellar.
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About the museum
The Musée Renaudot is in Loudun, in the house of Théophraste Renaudot, which the town presents as his birthplace. It opened in 1981 and bears the label “Maisons des illustres”. Physician-in-ordinary to King Louis XIII in 1612 and general commissioner for the poor of the kingdom, Renaudot moved to Paris. Thanks to Richelieu, he founded the first printed newspaper in France, the Gazette, in 1631. He is also credited with several “innocentes inventions”: classified ads, the mont-de-piété (pawnshop) and the forerunner of the employment agency.
The route presents a reconstructed printing workshop with a 17th-century hand press, a collection of gazettes since 1631 and a room dedicated to the Prix Renaudot. Visitors can print the first Gazette of 1631. The visit also includes the troglodytic cellar, about 10 meters underground, and a small medicinal garden. Every year in November, the Prix Renaudot des lycéens is awarded in Loudun.
Highlights
- House of Théophraste Renaudot, founder of the French press
- Printing workshop with a 17th-century hand press
- Printing of the first Gazette of 1631
- Troglodytic cellar and medicinal garden
- Room dedicated to the Prix Renaudot
Permanent exhibition
- Théophraste Renaudot et la naissance de la presse – Life and work of the founder of the Gazette, reconstructed printing workshop, collection of gazettes since 1631, cellar and medicinal garden.
- Founded
- 1981
- Operated by
- Ville de Loudun
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Guided tour | €6 |
|---|---|
| Guided tour, reduced rate | €5See the conditions in the price notes. |
| Children's workshop | €2 |
| Adults' workshop | €5 |
Self-guided visits are free. Reduced rate of €5 on the guided tour for people under 25, holders of the “pass éducation”, enrolled students, people with disabilities, researchers, job seekers and recipients of social minimum benefits, members of the Société historique or other learned societies, holders of a Culture card, ICOM, OCIM, Ambassadeur 86 or Aliénor network card, as well as holders of a press card or a tour guide card. Payment in cash, by bank or postal check, or by transfer.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
Workshops for children (€2) and for adults (€5) offered.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
The museum is in the town center, within walking distance of the tourist office.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Museum shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Self-guided or guided visit, in French and English. Pets are welcome. |
