Industrial · Architecture

Musée national de l'Éducation

Rouen

The Musée national de l'Éducation originated as a state educational museum created by Jules Ferry in Paris. It was assembled from objects gathered from the 1878 Exposition universelle with the aim of improving schoolteachers’ training. The museum initially displayed books as well as pedagogical and scientific materials intended to circulate among teachers. It was first installed at the Palais Bourbon, then moved to a building of the lycée Rollin, now the lycée Jacques-Decourt. In 1885, it occupied a large building at the corner of rues Louis-Thuillier and Gay-Lussac.

A second collection began in the 1970s at the Regional Center for Educational Documentation in Rouen, where the director preserved old school materials such as wooden furniture and old books. This collection was also enriched by private donations. In 1975, the two collections were united in Rouen. In 1980, through the efforts of minister René Haby, the museum became the national Museum of Education.

Map showing the location of Musée national de l'Éducation in Rouen
Location of Musée national de l'Éducation in Rouen

Nearby Objects

From State Educational Museum to National Institution

The Museum of Education was created in Paris by Jules Ferry as a state educational museum. It gathered objects from the 1878 Exposition universelle in order to improve the training of schoolteachers. Its early holdings included books as well as pedagogical and scientific materials intended to circulate among teachers. The museum was first installed at the Palais Bourbon, then moved to a building of the lycee Rollin, now lycee Jacques-Decourt. By 1885, it occupied a large building at the corner of rues Louis-Thuillier and Gay-Lussac.

A second collection connected to the museum began in the 1970s at the Regional Center for Educational Documentation in Rouen. The center's director preserved old school materials such as wooden furniture and old books, and the collection was further expanded through donations from private individuals. In 1975, the two collections were united in Rouen. In 1980, thanks to minister Rene Haby, the museum became the national Museum of Education.