Legacy of Jules Dardy 1970 (≈ 1970)
Collection of 5,000 coins bequeathed to the city.
1992
Creation of the museum
Creation of the museum 1992 (≈ 1992)
Official opening of the Costume Museum.
septembre 2019
Closure for work
Closure for work septembre 2019 (≈ 2019)
Modernisation and integration in the City of Presents.
printemps 2025
Progressive opening
Progressive opening printemps 2025 (≈ 2025)
Start of public reception in the City.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
printemps 2026
Full Inauguration
Full Inauguration printemps 2026 (≈ 2026)
Completion of museum spaces.
Key figures
Jules Dardy - Collector
Bequeathed 5,000 pieces to the museum.
Famille Buteau-Ravizy - Former owner
Private hotel housing the museum.
Origin and history
The Costume Museum, also known as the Museum of Costume and Popular Arts and Traditions of Morvan, is housed in a former 18th century mansion belonging to the Buteau-Ravizy family. Located at the foot of the climb of Calvaire in Château-Chinon (Nièvre), it was created in 1992 to house a collection of 5,000 pieces, mainly from the Jules Dardy legacy in 1970. These objects illustrate the evolution of French clothing and accessories, from Morvan regional costumes to Parisian outfits, covering from the 18th century to the Crazy Years.
The collections, both historical, artistic and ethnological, include basket dresses, Arlequin costumes, morvandelle folkwear, as well as accessories such as hats or fans. The museum highlights social differences through women's and men's clothing, exclusively of French origin. His museum approach combines fashion, popular traditions and local heritage.
In September 2019, the museum closed for modernization work as part of the project "Cité des Presents – François Mitterrand". The latter, planned to bring together the Costume Museum and the Musée du Septennat, began a gradual opening in the spring of 2025, with a complete inauguration of the museum spaces expected in the spring of 2026. This project aims to boost the cultural offer of Château-Chinon by integrating these two establishments into the same equipment.
