Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Henri Gagnaire - Collector and restorer
Founder of the family collection.
Michel Gagnaire - Collector and restorer
Son of Henri, co-author of the collection.
Origin and history
The Monet & Goyon motorcycle museum in Melle is a space dedicated to the eponymous brand, located in the village of Melle, in Deux-Sèvres. It houses a unique collection of two-wheeled vehicles, ranging from 1920's models to 1950's carnet machines, including auxiliary motor bicycles and 1930's classics. The diversity of exhibits reflects the technical and aesthetic evolution of the motorcycle in the 20th century.
The collection was brought together by the Gagnaire family, including Henri Gagnaire and his son Michel, both passionate about the history of Monet-Goyon. Their restoration work has preserved some 30 iconic models, covering decades of production. Their commitment has transformed a private passion into a museum accessible to the public, offering a concrete testimony of French industrial ingenuity.
Among the museum's flagship pieces are the 2 H.P. of the 1920s, symbols of the beginnings of the general public motorization, as well as caressed models of the 1950s, illustrating post-Second World War innovation. These meticulously restored motorcycles tell the story of a brand that marked its time, while highlighting the artisanal know-how of collectors.
