Museums

The Musée de la Loire in Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire

Established in the former Augustinian convent, historical monument, the Museum presents an ethnological collection devoted to the Loire and its history : professional fishing, inland waterways are evoked through everyday objects, earthenware de Nevers, nets, fishing gear and boat models. In addition, visitors are invited to discover the Fine Arts collection donated by Emile Loiseau in 1970, very representative of the School of Paris (1910-1925). That collection is exceptional and includes some of the greatest creators of modern painting : Dufy, Vlaminck, Derain, Manguin, Utrillo, Chagall, Zingg, Epstein, Krémègne.

Various activities are offered year-round : temporary exhibitions, conferences, guided tours, workshops, activities, treasure hunts and puzzles for children, events (Museums Night, Loire Festival, Heritage Days, etc...).

The Musée de la Loire also offers a booklet of games for children from the age of 7 to discover the Loire while having fun. It is the Ver-Vert parrot that guides the family in the Museum through four rooms with various themes : navigation, boats, fishing, beliefs and trades of the Loire.

The museum is labeled Accueil Vélo as well as Vignobles & Découvertes.

Opening hours :
- From November to December everyday except Tuesdays and Sundays : from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Saturdays and holidays : from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
- From March to October : everyday except Tuesdays, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Prices : full price 3€50, reduced rate 2€ (over 65s, large families, groups of 10 people or more). Free for children under 18, students, job seekers, press card, guide-interpreter card.

Musée de la Loire - Place de la Resistance in Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire
Phone : +33 (0)3.86.26.71.02 http://www.museedelaloire.fr

The Tour du Pouilly-Fumé in Pouilly-sur-Loire

This place immerses the visitor in a multi-sensory journey that highlights the Pouilly vineyards and the know-how of the winegrowers. This former post house, located in the city center of Pouilly-sur-Loire, was originally composed of a private mansion with a vaulted cellar, a store room, a tower and a cellar.

Throughout the visit of the interpretation center, follow a winegrower for a year and enter the heart of the Pouilly vineyard. In the first room ("words of winegrowers") you will discover the history and evolution of the vineyard. In the second room, "the 4 seasons of the vine" are presented during a multi-sensory show where you will explore the wine works. The last room ("to each winegrower his wine") introduces visitors to the winegrowers’ secrets. There are as many wines as winegrowers !

The wine tourism center has also a Cave aux Arômes© which allows you to perceive the diversity of the aromatic range of our wines. The aromatic families of Pouilly Fumé and Pouilly-sur-Loire are presented to be smelled in glass globes. Each family consists of natural products, the effect is guaranteed !

The Tour du Pouilly-Fumé is also :
- a tasting area : the visit ends with a tasting of one Pouilly-sur-Loire and three Pouilly Fumé. This commented tasting allows you to differentiate the two grape varieties and to discover the influence of the terroir on the wines of Pouilly !
- a shop : you will find different wines from the appellation area, derivative products (decanters, corkscrews ...), specialized books and local products.
- year round events

The Tour du Pouilly-Fumé is labeled Accueil Vélo as well as Vignobles & Découvertes.

Opening hours : February, March, November, December : from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Mondays. April, May, June, September, October : 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Closed on Mondays. July, August : 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., every day.

Prices : 7€ full price, 6€ reduced rate, 5€ child fare from 12 to 17 years old, children free until 12 years old. 5€ if you want to visit the Cave aux Arômes© only. A twin ticket exists if you want to enjoy the view in the Belevère de Saint-Andelain (8€).

La Tour du Pouilly-Fumé - 30, Rue Waldeck Rousseau in Pouilly-sur-Loire.
Phone : +33 (0)3.86.24.04.70. 

The Belvedere de Saint-Andelain

You can admire the Pouilly vineyard from the height of a belvedere. From the top of this old transformed water tower, a wide panorama opens up that goes from the Loire river to the city of La Charité-sur-Loire, the Sancerre valleys, the south of the Loiret department and the Pouilly vineyard of course ! Before accessing the lookout area (by the stairs), two intermediate landings present the history of the place. The upper platform also has a telescope to take advantage of the Loire landscapes as closely as possible. For people who cannot access it, a camera is installed at the top of the belvedere and you can watch live images in real time on a large screen (ground floor area). A touch screen can also be used to discover different local places with pictures and explanatory videos.

Access to the belvedere is via an automated gate and a token is needed. You can buy it directly on site thanks to a self service kiosk (payment by bank card).

Opening hours : open 7 days a week 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., from May 1^st to October 31^st. From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from November 1^st to April 30^th.

Prices : 1 token 2€, 3 tokens 5€, 7 tokens 10€.

For further information, please contact the town hall : +33 (0)3.86.39.12.79.

The Musée de la Machine Agricole et de la Ruralité in Saint-Loup-des-Bois

The museum was born in 1993 thanks to the passion of volunteers for agricultural machinery. Today, the Musée de la Machine Agricole et de la Ruralité exhibits more than 150 machines in working order (tractors, combine harvesters...) and wants to be “a guardian of rural life”. The conservatory orchard is the first testimony of that goal.

The museum covers 3,600 square meters and is divided into three areas.
Building 1 is dedicated to the ORIGINS of agricultural machinery. Starting from human energy, passing through animal energy, you will discover many different machines.
Building 2 contains an enormous Henryette steam engine of 240 hp as well as machine tools from our countryside and harvesting machines.
In the building 3, ALL TRACTOR and HARVEST TIME are kings. You will see, among other things, very rare AUROR tractors from 1918 and the MAC CORMICK TITAN from 1915.
A new museography-scenography helps to value the jewels of the museum and repositionates the visitor into the Great History.
You will discover the LARGEST COLLECTION OF HARVESTERS IN THE WORLD.

Each year, the museum offers an "AgriCultural" entertainment program with RETROFOIN in June, RETROMOISSON on August 15th (more than 700 old-fashioned mechanics in action for a unique show in Europe) and RETRO TP in September but also concerts, etc...

Located in the museum site and made up of 32 ancient species of apples, plums and other cherry trees, the conservatory orchard is a true open-air museum. The museum is a great source of entertainment for people of all ages who want to discover the cycles of nature and the richness of biodiversity. It also raises awareness among citizens, rural and urban, about the necessary preservation of our environment.

Opening hours :
- From May 1^st to September 30^th : 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays.
- From October 1^st to April 30^th : it is possible to visit the museum from Monday to Friday. Booking is required by phone or email (musee.stloup@gmail.com).
Group visits are possible all year round for 10 people or more. Booking is required.

Prices : full price 5€, reduced rate (under 15 years old) 2€, free for children under 6. Group rate (more than 10 people) 4€.

Musée de la Machine Agricole et de la Ruralité - 9 Rue du Maître de Forges in Saint-Loup-des-Bois.
Phone : +33 (0)3.86.39.91.41   http://www.framaa.fr

The Moulin de Maupertuis in Donzy

It is one of the 57 mills that staked out the Nohain and its tributaries. It has ceased to operate in 1961. But more than 30 years ago, it was transformed into an Ecomuseum by passionate volunteers. During a visit and thanks to diverse activities, you will be able to discover all the secrets of this place from the 14th century. If you walk in the rue André Audinet, listen and you will hear it: the wheel of the Moulin de Maupertuis, nestled in the old Donzy ! She tells the past, the life of the miller and his anecdotes. She talks about the volunteers who worked to rebuild it and keep it running !

At the mill, you will also find the reception point of the Loire, Vignobles et Nohain Tourist Office.

Opening hours :
- In low season (May, June, October) : Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- In high season (Easter holidays, summer, All Saints' Day and September) : every day from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Wednesdays.

Prices : adult 5€, 2.50€ for children under 18, free for children under 6.

Moulin de Maupertuis - Rue André Audinet in Donzy. Phone : +33 (0)3.86.39.39.46. https://moulindemaupertuis.jimdofree.com/

The Grange de Cadoux - in La Celle-sur-Loire

An old 15^th century barn and farm buildings, located along the mythical N7 road, house the museum of rural life in Nivernais.
Surprising museum where we find :
- daily life around the fire,
- work with wool, hemp, spinning, weaving,
- the mention of ancient trades with old tools of saddler, cooper, wheelwright, clog maker...
- technical development, the first hand machines,
- presentation of the region, folklore and local traditions.
Audio-visual, temporary exhibitions and picnic area.

Opening hours : July 1^st to August 31^th, daily from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Visits can be arranged by appointment outside these dates and times.

Prices : adult 6€, child up to 12 years 4€.

Musée paysan de la Bourgogne-Nivernaise - Domaine de Cadoux - on the old RN7 at La Celle-sur-Loire. Phone : +33 (0)6.43.52.84.78.

The Musée de la Chirurgie Pr. Christian Cabrol in Myennes

Come and discover one of the rare French museums which is devoted to the history of surgery. The tours are guided by fascinating specialists who know how to make this amazing science accessible to everyone. You will be able to see exceptional pieces such as surgical knives from the Neolithic era or the first artificial heart-lung devices.

A unique place in France, dedicated to the memory of Professor Christian Cabrol, and contains objects and documents that belonged to the Professor and recounts his brilliant career. A room devoted to anatomy exhibits fascinating items from the 19th and early 20th century.
Two hours of visit... unforgettable !

Opening hours : the museum is a private site, managed by an association (the Association Culturelle de Clairefontaine). It is open to the public during the summer school holidays, during summer guided tours organized by the Tourist Office and for European Heritage Days. Open to the public from 15 years old.

Prices : adult 6€, children aged 15 to 18 4€.

Musée de la Chirurgie Pr. Christian Cabrol, in Myennes. Enquiries to the Tourist Office on +33 (0)3.86.28.11.85 or http://museedelachirurgie.e-monsite.com

The Musées de la Louise in Vielmanay

The "Mémoire d'Antan" Association takes you back in time, to discover what life was like in the village of Vielmanay during the last century. Discover :
- the wash house museum : rediscover the atmosphere of the old wash house, the gestures of the washerwomen, the tools...
- the school museum : dive back into your school memories with the reconstructed class of 1930, the friends from the school playground and the ink that stained your fingers.
- the room, the teacher's kitchen and her garden of aromatic plants : discover the daily life of a teacher in 1930 through her kitchen, her room, her tool shed and her garden.
- the café grocery store : immerse yourself in the friendly atmosphere of the café of yesteryear where card games and absinthe were commonplace. The grocer was selling a long list of things in a bazaar-style where everything was consumable, even per-article-use purchasing if necessary.

The various places to visit are located in the village, the route is about 300 meters. The tours are guided.

Opening hours : all year round, booking is required. Prices : free admission (free participation).

Musées de la Louise - Vielmanay. Phone : +33 (0)6.06.69.16.31. http://www.memoiredantan.fr/

The Pavillon du Milieu de Loire in Pouilly-sur-Loire

Centre with a nature and environmental focus, the Pavillon du Milieu de Loire receives the public and participates in environmental education.

You will find : a large room for temporary exhibitions with a varied program, a permanent space dedicated to the Nature Reserve of the Loire Valley, a terrace designed to accommodate wild fauna and flora, a themed tourist information point, a nature shop and organic snack bar, a documentation center and a relaxation area suitable for young and old. Nearby, you will also find : discovery trails, a playground and picnic area.

The Pavillon du Milieu de Loire is also a nature activity centre. Alone, with family or friends, it offers many activities throughout the summer and for all ages: nature days for children, commented Loire descents in a 12-seater canoe, nature outings and workshops, conference evenings... Discover soon the entire program of events and temporary exhibitions.

The Pavillon du Milieu de Loire is labeled Accueil Vélo.

New in 2020 : the Pavillon offers you electric bikes rental (mountain or hybrid bikes) for full or half-day.

Opening hours : April to November. During the spring and autumn holidays : daily from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. During the summer holidays : every day from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Outside school holidays : Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Prices : free admission.

Pavillon du Milieu de Loire - Quai Jules Pabiot, in Pouilly-sur-Loire.
Phone : +33 (0)3.86.39.54.54. https://www.facebook.com/Pavillon-du-Milieu-de-Loire-943073869081763/