Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The museum finds its origin in Jules Barbey's Paris apartment in Aurevilly, preserved intact after his death thanks to his secretary, Louise Read. In 1925, faced with the threat of dispersal of collections, the latter proposed to the town hall of Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte to transfer all objects and documents. The museum then opened in the local castle, before being partially destroyed during the bombings of 1944. Despite losses, it was rebuilt in 1956 in another wing of the castle.

In 1989, the museum was transferred to Barbey's family home, Bottin Desylles Street, where it occupies the first floor (the municipal library on the ground floor). The collections are enriched by public and private acquisitions, especially at the bicentenary of the writer (1808–2008). The department then finances a permanent exhibition on the ground floor, while the house, classified as Historic Monument, is entirely dedicated to its memory.

The museum preserves emblematic objects such as Barbey's red jacket adorned with the Maltese cross, manuscripts, correspondence with Louise Read, and original editions of his works. The building itself, Logis de Robessart (15th century), bears witness to the local architectural heritage. The museum benefits from the label Musée de France and highlights the link between the writer and his native region, Normandy.

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