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Origin and history

The property Les Champollion, also known as the Ombres, is a family home located in Vif, Isère, dating from the 18th century. Acquised in 1710 by Étienne Bonnot-Latour, in 1778 she became the residence of the Champollion family, notably Jacques-Joseph and his brother Jean-François, pioneer of deciphering hieroglyphics. This place housed their childhood and their first research, marking the history of Egyptology.

The estate, classified as a historical monument in 1994, was transformed into a museum after its acquisition by the Isère General Council in 2001. Opened temporarily in 2004-2005, it reopened permanently in 2021 after a complete renovation. The museum exhibits objects, archives and works related to the Champollion brothers, as well as Egyptian collections, including deposits of the Louvre and other institutions.

In 2021, murals from the 17th and 18th centuries were discovered during the works, revealing floral decorations and representations of the property. These paintings, hidden under wallpaper in the 19th century, were restored and integrated into the museum journey. The museum also offers temporary exhibitions, such as those dedicated to Egyptian architecture or ancient deities.

The adjacent park, made available to the municipality of Vif, hosts cultural events and landscape developments. The museum, labeled "Musée de France" in 2020, attracts thousands of visitors each year, celebrating the Champollion heritage and their contribution to science.

Among the museum's masterpieces are personal objects of the Champollion brothers, such as the office on which Jean-François deciphered the hieroglyphs, or sketchbooks of the Franco-Toscane expedition to Egypt. Partnerships with national museums, including the Louvre, enrich the collections exhibited.

The museum is part of a local community network, with organisations such as the Association of Dauphinois d'égyptologie Champollion, which promotes knowledge of this discipline. Accessible by public transport from Grenoble, the site is a place of memory and discovery for those passionate about history and archaeology.

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