Red Room in the Musée départemental des Arts et des Traditions Populaire at Château de Champlitte - Vesoul-Val de Saône — ©Champlitte Castle Museum|BothBetter

The Castle Museum From Champlitte

The Musée des Arts et Traditions Populaires, housed in the Château de Champlitte, is one of three museums managed by the Department of Haute-Saône, along with the Musée des Arts et Techniques, also located in Champlitte, and the Musée de la Montagne in Château-Lambert.

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A collection Unique ethnographic

With the addition of a Renaissance wing in the 16th century and rebuilt in the 18th century after a fire, the château has been a listed historic monument since 1909. It is surrounded by magnificent formal gardens, added in 2008 to embellish the main courtyard. It is well worth a visit on its own. However, it would be a shame not to visit the museum, and go back in time to explore rural society in Haute-Saône in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Founded in 1954 by Albert and Félicie Demard, the museum officially moved into the Château de Champlitte in 1957 and became the property of the Département de la Haute-Saône in 1963.

Visit the castle

Exterior view - Musée départemental des Arts & Techniques Champlitte - Cité de caractère - Vesoul - Val de Saône — ©Champlitte Castle|Both Better

The museum offers a glimpse of rural society at the turn of the 19th century. Thanks to an immersive scenography, you can move from one room to another (there are forty of them!) to discover reconstructions of peasant homes, workshops and shops that illustrate the daily life of villagers. The objects on display tell the story of popular rites and beliefs of the time, allowing you to relive the activities and trades of yesteryear.

Discover the museum

A collection Initiated by enthusiasts

This vast collection was founded in the 1950s by Albert and Félicie Demard, the founders of the museum. Passionate about the life of their region, they worked to preserve all these objects, which were threatened with oblivion as a result of the rural exodus and the modernisation of farms.

Focus on The apothecary and exotic wallpapers

Pharmacy - Musée départemental des Arts & Techniques Champlitte - City of character - Vesoul - Val de Saône — ©Champlitte Castle|Both Better

The café, the hospice, the grocer’s shop, the school, the funfair, the potter’s wheel, lace-making… Among all these rooms, there are two that we particularly appreciate: the apothecary, which stands out for the beauty of its décor and instantly transports us back in time. Each bottle is carefully labelled, as if it were ready to be used, adding a touch of authenticity to this fascinating room.

Our second favourite room is the wallpaper room, where a vast polychrome treasure trove sprawls across the walls, transporting us to lush landscapes. The voyages of James Cook, Louis Antoine de Bougainville and Jean-François de La Pérouse to the Pacific islands in the 18th century come to life through a series of exotic and vibrant scenes. This masterful work by Jean-Gabriel Charvet offers a captivating visual immersion.

Panoramic tapestry in the winter room of the Château de Champlitte - Vesoul-Val de Sâone — ©Champlitte Castle|Musées Départementaux de Haute-Saône

Temporary exhibitions And fun discovery

For an interactive visit, the museum is offering an escape game called “Les bijoux de la comtesse”, an immersive adventure that takes you back to 1751 and takes place in one of the rooms of the château, furnished with the refinement of the period. You are invited to solve a series of riddles to find the precious jewels belonging to Countess Anne-Prospère Cordier de Launay. This activity is ideal for families and groups of friends, offering a fun way to discover the history of the château.

In terms of events, each year the museum presents a temporary exhibition in the ground-floor rooms, to complement its permanent collection. These exhibitions are accompanied by cultural events such as Museums’ Night, the European Heritage Days and Mexico Week in France.