Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Musée national de la Care et du Tourisme was founded in 1927 at the Château de Compiègne, at the initiative of Paul Léon, then director of Fine Arts, and Léon Auscher, vice-president of the Touring Club de France. His official inauguration was presided over by Edward Herriot, Minister of Public Instruction and Fine Arts. The aim of this project was to preserve and enhance the history of road transport, from the old couplers to the beginnings of the automobile.

The museum is housed in the National Palace of Compiègne, a castle rebuilt by Louis XV from 1751 according to the plans of the architect Angel-Jacques Gabriel, on the remains of a medieval building built under Charles V. The site, completed under Louis XVI in 1788, was later built by architect L-M Berthault for Napoleon I, especially for his adjacent park. This prestigious setting now houses an exceptional collection.

The collections, spread over 3,200 m2, illustrate three main themes: the coupling (75 wheeled vehicles and 52 sleds of the 17th–12th centuries), the cycle (from its origins to the first bicycles), and the automobile (31 pioneer vehicles with steam, electric or explosion). These objects bear witness to the technical and social evolution of transport, from urban and sporting uses to industrial innovations.

The Château de Compiègne, in addition to the museum, embodies centuries of French architectural and political history. Its park, preserved in its Napoleonic state, and its interior decorations reflect the tastes of the monarchs and emperors who succeeded it. The museum benefits from the label Musée de France, highlighting its heritage importance.

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