Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

In 1977, the city of Figeac acquired for a symbolic franc the home of Jean-François Champollion, then threatened with destruction. After a thorough restoration, the Champollion Museum opened in December 1986. It is dedicated to ancient Egypt and the study of hieroglyphics, highlighting the pioneering work of Champollion, especially through objects related to its decryption.

In 2007, after two years of extension work, the museum became Champollion - The Scriptures of the world. He expanded his collections to explore 5,300 years of writing history, from Mesopotamian cuneiforms to Mayan glyphs, Chinese characters. The exhibition revolves around the four founding writings and their evolution to the present day, while highlighting Champollion's key role in this intellectual adventure.

The museum relies on personal archives, such as Champollion's letters to his brother, which reveal his intuitions and difficulties in deciphering Rosette's stone. These documents also allow us to trace his expedition to Egypt, where he studies gods, mummies and funeral artifacts. The place also asks visitors about the act of writing, its meaning and its impact through civilizations.

Champollion's home, of medieval origin, was restored in the 1980s and 2000s. Today it houses a museum space labeled Museum of France, combining architectural heritage and archaeological collections. The museum is located in Champollion in Figeac, Lot department, Occitanie region.

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