The Baron Martin Museum In Gray

The Baron Martin Museum is located in the historic centre of Gray. From the lower part of the town, where the river Saône flows through, you can see the medieval crenellated tower that marks the entrance to the park housing the château, which has been a museum since 1903.

Designated a “Musée de France”, it invites you to explore its rooms dedicated to the fine arts. Here you’ll discover works by masters such as Prud’hon, Tissot, Boucher, Van Loo, Van Kessel and Monticelli, taking you on an artistic journey through the centuries. Its cellars contain a wealth of archaeological treasures.

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A journey Through art and history

Since 1903, the 18th-century château, once a residence for prestigious guests, has been converted into a museum. Visitors can wander from salon to salon, discovering a rich collection of paintings, sculptures and objets d’art.

The Musée Baron Martin houses more than 475 paintings, 130 sculptures and 530 graphic works, as well as an impressive collection of manuscripts by renowned artists. The large collection of decorative art objects and furniture gives this residence a unique cachet.

Exterior of the Baron Martin Museum - Gray - City of character - Vesoul - Val de Saône — ©Baron Martin Museum|Office de tourisme Val de Gray

In the foreground is a tricorn bull. In the background, a couple contemplate works in the Baron Martin Museum - Gray - Vesoul - Val de Saône — ©Baron Martin Museum|Maxime Naegely

The archaeological section, housed in the château’s medieval vaults and boasting 600 exhibits, bears witness to the region’s ancient history, including a pagan sarcophagus discovered in 1844 in the commune of Mantoche, just outside Gray. You can also admire a series of Greek vases from the 4th and 5th centuries BC.

Exploring this museum will give you the impression of being the privileged guest of the last owner, so well have the premises preserved the charm and atmosphere of a mansion that is still inhabited.

Discover the museum

Architecture And dazzling sets

A couple contemplates works of art at the Baron Martin Museum - Gray - Vesoul - Val de Saône — ©Baron Martin Museum|Maxime Naegely

The château, refurbished between 1777 and 1783 for the Count of Provence, has retained its charm of yesteryear. The fourteen rooms, some of which are listed in the supplementary inventory of Historic Monuments, are adorned with sumptuous decorations: door tops, female mascarons, overmantels of mirrors and stuccos depicting vases in bloom.

The large gallery on the first floor, built in 1913, hosts temporary exhibitions each year highlighting the great artists of the 20th century (Dali, Chagall, Bernard Buffet…) and the civilisations of the world.

Shows, events, tours and exhibitions renew the penetrating charm of this place throughout the year, as the seasons change. So many reasons to come back to Gray!

A man contemplates a painting at the Baron Martin Museum - Gray - Vesoul - Val de Saône — ©Baron Martin Museum|Maxime Naegely

A couple contemplates paintings at the Baron Martin Museum - Gray - Vesoul - Val de Saône — ©Baron Martin Museum|Maxime Naegely

A park and ramparts Classified

The park surrounding the château, encircled by ramparts and dominated by the Paravis tower, offers a green and peaceful setting. All three elements are listed Historic Monuments.

Designed in the eighteenth century in the spirit of French-style gardens, the park offers visitors an uninterrupted view of the town and the Saône valley. The château’s terrace is an unmissable viewpoint. You will also see two cannons, used as ceremonial cannons until the First World War, then loaded to celebrate 14 July.