Remains in the Tour des Echevins museum - Luxeuil-les-Bains - Vosges du Sud — ©Museum of the Aldermen's Tower|Etienne Kopp

Our selection Museums in Haute-Saône

Among the must-see museums in Haute-Saône, you’ve already had the chance to explore the Musée Gérôme in Vesoul, the Château-Lambert museums, the Château de Champlitte museum, thePays de la Cerise ecomuseum in Fougerolles, the Baron Martin museum in Gray and theEcclesia in Luxeuil-les-Bains. These sites have given you a fascinating insight into the art, history and traditions of our region. But the discoveries don’t stop there! Here is a selection of other museums to visit, to explore new facets of the history and heritage of the Haute-Saône region.

The House of Negritude And Human Rights

Champagney is home to a captivating place of remembrance: the Maison de la Négritude et des Droits de l’Homme, a remarkable museum dedicated to the history of slavery and the fight for human rights. Its origins date back to 1789, when the inhabitants of the village called for the abolition of slavery in article 29 of their cahier de doléances, an act of compassion that was all the more extraordinary given that they had never been directly confronted with this reality. Probably inspired by the accounts of Jacques-Antoine Priqueler, a local officer who frequented the Société des amis des Noirs in Paris, the villagers showed exceptional foresight. Today, this text has become the cornerstone of the museum.

The reproduction of a slave ship poignantly exposes the inhumane conditions under which slaves were transported. This reconstruction, combined with a collection of objects, gives an insight into the scale of the slave trade and its consequences. The museum also raises awareness of contemporary forms of slavery, linking past and present in the ongoing struggle for human rights.

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The Path to FreedomWalking in the footsteps of history

To complete your visit, take a walk along the Sentier de la liberté (Freedom Trail). This eight-stage outdoor trail lets you relive the story of the drafting of Champagney’s cahier de doléances. Each station looks back at the events that led to the drafting of article 29.

Museums in Luxeuil-les-Bains A journey through art and history

Luxeuil-les-Bains, a spa and heritage town, offers visitors a captivating cultural journey through its many museums.

TheEcclesia, with its remarkable display of the remains of the Saint-Martin archaeological site, is a must when visiting Luxeuil-les-Bains. However, the town also offers a variety of museums that illustrate its exceptional historical and cultural heritage. The Tour des Échevins, one of the oldest museums in France, is dedicated to archaeology and fine arts. The ground floor displays Gallo-Roman funerary stelae, while the first floor showcases pottery and ceramics. The upper floors feature temporary exhibitions and works by regional painters.

The climb up its 146 steps rewards visitors with an exceptional panoramic view of the Vosges and Jura mountains, and even the Alps on a clear day.

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Gallo-Roman pottery kilns

After your visit to the Tour des Echevins, don’t miss the Gallo-Roman potters’ kilns. Nine remarkably well-preserved ancient kilns were unearthed between 1980 and 1987. The best-preserved kiln of all, a model unique in France, is to be found in this complex, which is listed as a Historic Monument.

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Three facets of Luxovia's heritage: From art to military history

TheEspace muséal Jules Adler, opening in 2022, pays tribute to the “painter of the humble”. Born in Luxeuil, Adler left his mark on the art of the early 20th century with his sensitive depictions of working-class life. The three themed rooms offer an intimate insight into his work and life, through paintings, sketches and personal objects.

The Conservatoire de la Dentelle perpetuates the tradition of Luxeuil lace, made famous during the Second Empire. Visitors can watch lacemakers at work and discover the history of this refined craft.

The Musée du Combattant de Haute-Saône (Haute-Saône Servicemen’s Museum ) has a 200 m² display of objects and documents relating to conflicts since 1870, including the history of Luxeuil-les-Bains air base 116.

Work by the painter Jules Adler - Luxeuil-les-Bains - Vosges du Sud — ©Jules Adler Museum|Etienne Kopp

Fresco at the Jules Adler Museum - Luxeuil-les-Bains - Vosges du Sud — ©Espace muséal Jules Adler |Etienne Kopp

Interior of the Luxeuil-les-Bains Lace Conservatory. A beautiful dress with a red lace top from Luxeuil-les-Bains - Vosges du Sud — ©Lace Conservatory|Nathan Fabry

Interior of the Musée du Combattant de la Haute-Saône. There are many war-related objects on display, including helmets, gas masks, etc. - Luxeuil-les-Bains - Vosges du Sud — ©Musée du Combattant|Nathan Fabry

Interior of the Musée du Combattant de la Haute-Saône. Many war-related objects on display - Luxeuil-les-Bains - Vosges du Sud — ©Musée du Combattant

The museum in Haute-Saône Postcards

Step back in time at the Musée Haut-Saônois de la Carte Postale in Faucogney-et-la-Mer, a place that preserves the visual history of Haute-Saône. Founded in 2015 by André Goepfert, the museum houses an impressive collection of over 30,000 postcards, taking visitors on a journey back in time through the department’s 540 communes. Visitors can browse through three dedicated areas, where each card tells its own story. From old village views to fancy cards adorned with pearls and real hair, each piece bears witness to a bygone era. The oldest, dating from 1892, immortalises the Luxeuil-les-Bains thermal baths. This museum is a true collective memory, allowing visitors to compare the past with the present, rediscover lost railway lines and relive the industrial era. A nostalgic experience for all lovers of local history and heritage.

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The Museum of Arts and Techniques From Champlitte

The Musée départemental des Arts et Techniques, located in Champlitte, complements the visit to the Musée départemental des Arts et Traditions Populaires housed in the château. The museum highlights the technical developments that marked the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Through reconstructions of shops and workshops, you can discover how inventions such as the steam engine and electricity transformed everyday life. The museum presents a varied collection of objects and machines that illustrate the major changes in industry and transport, showing the impact of these innovations on traditional trades, while immersing you in the atmosphere of an era in the throes of change. The tour provides an insight into how these advances have shaped our modern society.

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The baker's wagon, one of the period objects on display at the Musée des Arts et Techniques in Champlitte - Vesoul-Val de Saône — ©Museum of Arts and Techniques in Champlitte|Musées Départementaux de Haute-Saône

The museum of Gallo-Roman remains

On the border with the Vosges, let yourself be transported back to antiquity at Jonvelle, in the Gallo-Roman remains museum. Discover the fascinating remains of a Roman villa, whose remarkably well-preserved thermal baths reveal a hypocaust (underfloor heating) system that is unique in Franche-Comté. Admire the splendid mosaic decorating the floor, a testament to the refinement of the period. The adjacent museum completes this historical immersion with a captivating collection of everyday objects unearthed on the site during the excavations. From tools and jewellery to utensils and coins, each artefact tells its own story. This tour offers a rewarding experience for history buffs and the curious alike.

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Picturesque museums

Discover a selection of museums in Haute-Saône, each highlighting original themes and traditional skills.

Wood and honey at Chauvirey-le-Vieil
Immerse yourself in the world of woodworking at the Musée des outils d’hier and the Père Gaillot apiary. Discover 20 woodworking professions through 3,000 tools, a wooden games factory and a clog factory. Hugues, a joiner for 4 generations, and Béatrice Galliot share their passion with demonstrations of turning and shaping. The museum has also extended to beekeeping, offering an immersion in honey extraction techniques at Père Galliot’s apiary.

Farming of yesteryear in Velesmes
The Conservatoire du Machinisme Agricole in Velesmes bears witness to the evolution of farming techniques. This museum houses an impressive collection of machines, vehicles and tools used in the past in our countryside, the fruit of decades of passionate research.

The evolution of tractors at Loulans-Verchamp
The tractor museum at Loulans-Verchamp exhibits 150 pieces of farm machinery from all over France. This collection traces the history of agricultural mechanisation and offers a fascinating insight into rural and industrial development.

Old furnaces at Pennesières
The museum of old furnaces and tools features a unique collection of 235 furnaces, bearing witness to the industrial past of the Haute-Saône region. Most of them come from the 11 local foundries that were once in operation. Antique tools and unusual items complete this original exhibition.

The Forges Museum

The Forges de Pesmes, built in 1660, offer a journey through the industrial history of the region. Situated on a peninsula surrounded by the river Ongon, they now house a museum showing the machines and tools used until 1993, when they ceased operations.

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