Musée Maurice-Dufresne

Over het museum

The museum opened to the public on October 24, 1992, in the former paper mill of Marnay, near Azay-le-Rideau, on an island in the Indre within an estate of more than six hectares. The mill was founded around 1820 as a paper mill, later converted into a fruit cannery, and closed in 1962.

Maurice Dufresne, born in 1930 into a farming family, trained as a farrier with the Compagnons du devoir. In 1958 he founded the Établissements Dufresne in Villeperdue, first to build trailers and around 1962 to recover metals. He wanted to save old machines that were about to be thrown away. In 1983 he bought the ruined mill and spent roughly nine years restoring it, including the water-powered machinery that runs during opening hours. He died in 2008; his daughter Monique continues his work.

The collection comprises about 3,000 items, mostly machines and vehicles from the 1850s to the 1950s, often unique in the world: a Blériot XI aircraft, a guillotine, tanks, a Morgan, a Benjamin motorcycle, an electric Peugeot, a Buick, armories and old posters. The museum is a family business.

Hoogtepunten

• Blériot XI aircraft
• More than 3,000 machines and vehicles from 1850 to 1950
• Marnay mill and water-powered machinery in operation
• Historic cars and motorcycles: Morgan, Buick, electric Peugeot
• Armories and old posters
• Estate of more than six hectares on an island in the Indre

Vaste collectie

• Collection de machines et de véhicules (1850-1950) – More than 3,000 items, including a Blériot XI aircraft, tanks, historic cars and motorcycles, weapons and posters.
• Moulin de Marnay – Restored former paper mill whose water-powered machinery runs during opening hours.

Opgericht

1992

Beheerder

Entreprise familiale (famille Dufresne)

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

The prices shown are those of the 2026 season.

Toegankelijkheid

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

Reserved parking spaces in front of the reception and accessible toilets. Reduced rate for people with disabilities and an adapted group rate.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Speurtocht, doeboekje of kinderaudiotour
• Verschoonruimte
• Speeltuin / speelhoek

The museum presents itself as suitable for families and multigenerational visits. There is a children’s educational booklet, a playground near the restaurant, a bottle warmer and changing table, and creative workshops for children’s groups. Free admission for children under 10.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

Service & horeca

• Restaurant
• Museumwinkel

Restaurant and snack bar “Chez Jeannot” with a shaded terrace; group meals for up to 75 people. Souvenir shop and covered picnic area. Dogs accepted on a leash.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

Het museum heeft hierover geen informatie gepubliceerd.

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