Normandy Museum (Musée de Normandie)
About Normandy Museum (Musée de Normandie)
The Musée de Normandie is a regional history and ethnography museum housed within the magnificent Château de Caen, a fortress built by William the Conqueror around 1060. Founded in 1946 and opened to the public in 1963, the museum holds over 80,000 objects tracing Norman history from prehistoric times through the industrial revolution. The permanent collection features remarkable archaeological artifacts including Gallo-Roman funerary steles, medieval swords and jewelry, and one of France's most important collections of revolutionary paper money. Visitors can explore traditional Norman life through extensive ethnographic displays showcasing rural tools, artisan crafts, distinctive regional costumes, and 18th-19th century domestic objects. The museum is located in the former Logis des Gouverneurs within the castle grounds, offering visitors the chance to combine their visit with exploring one of Europe's largest medieval fortresses. A smartphone app provides free self-guided tours, and the museum offers special 30-minute lunchtime visits. Entry is free for visitors under 26 years old, and the first weekend of each month offers free admission for everyone.
Interesting Facts
The museum's numismatic collection contains approximately 6,000 coins, including one of France's most significant collections of 'assignats' - the revolutionary paper money issued between 1789 and 1796 that became virtually worthless due to hyperinflation, making surviving examples rare historical treasures.
The Château de Caen where the museum is housed was heavily damaged during the Battle of Normandy in 1944, with only its massive outer walls surviving the Allied bombing. The museum was established partly as an act of cultural recovery, preserving Norman heritage after the devastation of World War II.
Among the museum's most unusual artifacts is a mammoth mandible discovered in Normandy, evidence that these ice age giants once roamed the region over 10,000 years ago, alongside a remarkable collection of Neolithic grinding stones used by the area's earliest farmers.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Ticket Prices
Museum Entry with Temporary Exhibitions
RecommendedMuseum Entry (Permanent Collections Only)
Location & Practical Info
Address
Le Château, 14000 Caen, France
Day Routes
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