Musée du Hiéron

Over het museum

The museum grew out of an idea of the Jesuit father Victor Drevon, who proposed a museum-library in Paray-le-Monial in 1875, a pilgrimage site since 1865. Baron Alexis de Sarachaga financed, between 1881 and 1884, a collection of works of art illustrating the link between the Eucharist and the Sacred Heart. The name comes from the Greek hieros, “sacred.”

The architect Noël Bion built the building from 1890 to 1893, with a classical-looking façade and a metal frame inspired by Gustave Eiffel. The museum opened in 1893. In 1904, Sarachaga entrusted the building and collections to Georges de Noaillat. The original library was sold in 1948 during building works.

In 2005, the museum was entirely renovated by the architects Catherine Frenak and Béatrice Jullien, with a scenography by Marc Jeanclos; it became municipal and received the “Musée de France” label. Across 700 m², the route traces two millennia of Christian history. On November 21, 2024, the Via Vitae was the target of an armed robbery; the town plans to restore it before a new presentation, and the museum remains open.

Hoogtepunten

• Via Vitae by Joseph Chaumet (1904), a gold and ivory work of 138 figures classified as a national treasure, damaged in the 2024 theft
• Romanesque tympanum from Anzy-le-Duc (12th century)
• Christ of Varenne-l’Arconce (11th to 12th century)
• Italian paintings of the 17th and 18th centuries
• Contemporary art, with works by Hélène Mugot and Thomas Gleb
• Metal-framed building inspired by Eiffel

Vaste collectie

• Trésor national : la Via Vitae – Work by the goldsmith Joseph Chaumet (1904), which depicts the life of Christ in 138 scenes in gold, ivory, platinum and precious stones. It is being restored after the 2024 theft.
• Galeries permanentes – Eight galleries trace two millennia of Christian history, from Romanesque art to Italian painting.
• Artistes des XXe et XXIe siècles – A selection of contemporary acquisitions in painting, sculpture, installation, photography and video.

Opgericht

1893

Beheerder

Ville de Paray-le-Monial

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

De toegang is gratis.

Admission is free by municipal decision; a voluntary donation can be placed in the box on site.

Toegankelijkheid

• Rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift
• Aangepast toilet
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

The venue is announced as fully accessible, with the “Tourisme et Handicap” label for motor, mental and hearing disabilities. Wheelchairs or portable seats and a sound amplifier are lent at reception. The toilets have a visual alarm; a tactile model of the museum with Braille labels and large-print illustrated booklets are available. A reserved parking space is located opposite the museum.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Speurtocht, doeboekje of kinderaudiotour
• Doe- en voelstations

Puzzle booklets by age are available at reception (ages 4–6, 5–7, 6–10 and 8–13). Round display cases at child height line the route. Holiday workshops are offered to children aged 6 to 12 and to families. A free-access workshop area offers games, art books, a tactile model and craft activities.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

Paray-le-Monial is about 2 h 20 min from Paris by TGV and 1 h 50 min from Lyon by TER.

Service & horeca

• Museumwinkel

Bookshop open during museum hours (catalogues, postcards, stationery).

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

Het museum heeft hierover geen informatie gepubliceerd.

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