Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Musée Saint-Vic was founded at the beginning of the 20th century by Théogen Chavaillon, a local actor committed to the preservation of heritage. His initial collections were considerably enriched in 1916 thanks to the legacy of Xavier Auclair, an enlightened amateur. This legacy included furniture, earthenware, paintings, trinkets, engravings, coins and documents, laying the foundations for a varied background. The museum moved to its current location between 1938 and 1940, a 13th century building, a former convent and then a stopping house, providing a historical setting for these collections.

From its creation, the museum specialized in local and regional archaeology, with acquisitions from excavations and ethnographic objects. In 1965, a first phase of development of archaeological collections was launched, followed by a second in 1976. The topics covered cover prehistory, protohistory, the Gallo-Roman and medieval period, as well as decorative arts, fine arts, and natural sciences. The museum thus reflects local history, from religious practices to traditional trades, musical instruments and archives.

The building that houses the museum is an old house of the trading abbots of Noirlac, renovated in the 16th century. After serving as a convent for women, he became a prison from 1789 to 1934, before being transformed into a museum space. This dual vocation, both religious and prison, adds a unique historical dimension to the site. Today, the Musée Saint-Vic is labeled "Museum of France" and highlights an artistic, archaeological and ethnographic heritage, anchored in the territory of Cher and the Centre-Val de Loire region.

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