Musée du Théâtre Forain
Museum devoted to four centuries of travelling theatre, housed in a former Beauce farm in Artenay.
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Over het museum
The idea for the museum emerged in the 1980s, when researchers from the University of Paris X-Nanterre became interested in demountable theatres, the last of which had ceased operating shortly before. They tracked down former travelling actors, among them Jean and Solange Créteur, who had settled near Artenay after their theatre closed in 1974, and persuaded them to return to the stage for a documentary film. In 1983 the commune of Artenay made its village hall available for filming, and the mayor of the time suggested on that occasion a museum to preserve the memory of this travelling life.
The starting point of the collection was the acquisition in 1985 of the entire holdings of the Créteur and Cavalier families, two showman families related since the late 19th century. Over the years the museum added to its collections through purchases, gifts and loans from former travelling actors. It opened to the public in September 1995.
The museum occupies a former Beauce farm, the Ferme du Paradis. According to its own information, it displays more than 3,500 costumes, sets and props used by travelling theatres from the mid-19th century to the late 1970s: backdrops, set models, make-up boxes, role books, posters and engravings. A performance hall also hosts a cultural season programme.
Hoogtepunten
- Route through four centuries of travelling theatre, from the commedia dell’arte to demountable theatres
- Collection of costumes, sets and stage props assembled by the Créteur and Cavalier families
- Stage set models at 1:20 scale
- Costumed family visits and activity booklet
- Performance hall with a cultural season programme
Vaste collectie
- Collections permanentes du théâtre forain – A walk through four centuries of travelling theatre, with stage sets, period costumes and props from touring companies.
- Opgericht
- 1995
- Beheerder
- Commune d'Artenay
- Directie
- Benoît Tétu
Toegangsprijzen & kortingen
| Volwassenen | € 4 |
|---|---|
| Met korting | € 3Under 18s, students, job seekers, people with disabilities, visitors presenting the 2026 edition of the Guide du Routard |
| Kinderen & jongeren | € 3gratis t/m 2 jaar · Reduced rate up to age 17; free for children under 3. |
| Mensen met een beperking | € 3Reduced rate for people with disabilities. |
| Studenten | € 3 |
| Guided group visit (by reservation, from 10 people) | € 6Price per person. |
| Costumed family visit, child (ages 3 to 12, by reservation) | € 5 |
| Costumed family visit, adult (by reservation) | € 4 |
| Family activity booklet | € 0,50Available at reception, from age 5. |
Free admission on proof for children under 3, members of the association Les Amis du Musée du Théâtre Forain, members of the Musées en Centre-Val de Loire network, holders of the Pass Pro Tourisme Loiret and journalists. Payment accepted in cash, by cheque, by bank card and by holiday vouchers.
Toegankelijkheid
- Rolstoeltoegankelijk
- Lift: geen informatie
- Aangepast toilet: geen informatie
- Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
- Hulphonden welkom: geen informatie
- Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
- Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
- Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
- Audiodescriptie: geen informatie
The museum holds the “Tourisme et Handicap” label for hearing and intellectual disabilities and declares itself accessible to all people with disabilities. A ramp gives access for visitors with reduced mobility, and the performance hall is wheelchair-accessible. Spectators who need a particular seat can say so when booking. The visitor services team welcomes specialised organisations and adapts its activities to each request.
Kinderen & gezin
Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen
| Toegang kinderen | gratis t/m 2 jaar |
|---|
- Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
- Speurtocht, doeboekje of kinderaudiotour
- Doe- en voelstations
Throughout the year the museum offers activities for young audiences: costumed family visits where children choose a stage costume, mask trials and puppet handling, costumed Wednesdays, mornings for the very young, creative workshops and shows during the holidays, and a family activity booklet from age 5.
Bereikbaarheid & parkeren
Met het openbaar vervoer
Gare SNCF · 3 min. lopen · 450 m
SNCF station 450 m from the museum; Rémi intercity bus network.
Met de auto
Gratis parkeren
Free parking around the museum; spaces reserved for people with disabilities are closest to the entrance.
- Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
By car: motorways A10 and A19 (exit 13), RD 2020 (30 minutes from Orléans), RN 154 (50 minutes from Chartres). Paris is 1 hour 15 minutes away. In the centre of Artenay village, follow the signs: the museum is behind the town hall, near the library and the music school.
Route plannenService & horeca
Het museum heeft hierover geen informatie gepubliceerd.
Evenementen & zaalverhuur
Het museum heeft hierover geen informatie gepubliceerd.
Je bezoek plannen
| Rondleidingen | ja |
|---|---|
| Aanbod voor scholen | ja |
| Goed om te weten | Self-guided or guided visits for all audiences: the short “flash” guided tour (20 minutes, included with the admission ticket, first Sunday of the month at 15:00, no booking required), mornings for toddlers (0 to 6 years, one Wednesday a month), costumed family visit (ages 3 to 12, 1 hour 15 minutes, by reservation), costumed Wednesdays (self-guided visit from age 3, outside school holidays) and the family activity booklet. The museum also welcomes school classes and leisure centres. |





