Listed as a Historic Monument, the Bertrand museum – built in the 1770s – owes its name to General Henri-Gatien Bertrand (1773-1844), Grand Marshal of the Tuileries Palace under the Empire, faithful companion in arms and exile of Napoleon which he follows to Saint Helena.
Formerly the residence of the general and his family, this beautiful XNUMXth century mansione century is now a museum in which each of the twenty-six rooms has its share of surprises in store: the aviary brought back from Saint Helena, the plaster original of the Sakuntala by Camille Claudel, a cabinet of curiosities and Egyptology, Flemish and Dutch paintings, Gallo-Roman and medieval works and Empire collections of great diversity. The centuries pass, embodied by this varied heritage whose beauty, rarity and diversity amaze.
The house of an Illustrious
Located rue Descente des Cordeliers in the heart of the historic district of Châteauroux, this elegant bourgeois residence is built between courtyard and garden, in a classic style. Its plans were drawn by Martin-Bouchet, first engineer of the King, Inspector for France of the Turcies and Levées, and grandfather of General Bertrand. He himself supervised the construction of the building where he resided until his death in 1787. His daughter, Marie-Henriette Bouchet inherited the property in 1803. Married to Henri Bertrand, intendant of the duchy of Châteauroux, she transmitted the property to her son, Henri-Gatien Bertrand in 1834. It was between these walls that the illustrious general breathed his last on January 31, 1844. In his honor, a statue representing him, the work of the sculptor Charles Marochetti (1805-1867), was commissioned. It still sits today in the middle of the courtyard.
In 1901, the house was sold to the City of Chateauroux by its owner at the time, Raymond-William de Coninck. She was then assigned to the residence of the general commanding the 17e infantry division. From 1917 to 1919, the Bertrand hotel even served as a military hospital.
In 1921, the funds of the municipal museum were transferred there on the occasion of the centenary of the death of Napoleoner. It is therefore in this refined private mansion that the Empire collections largely take their place.
A romantic French garden
The inhabitants of the historic center of Châteauroux know him well. THE Bertrand museum garden offers a breathtaking view of the city's must-see places such as the Raoul castle, the Cordeliers convent or the Ebbes valley. Its 400m2 recently renovated make it a most pleasant ornamental garden where visitors will appreciate the tranquility and beauty of this enchanted parenthesis.
Opening times
The Bertrand Museum is accessible free of charge for self-guided tours all year round, except for the month of January (annual closure).
| from october to may | from June to September |
|---|---|
| Tuesday to Sunday from 14 a.m. to 18 p.m. | Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m. |
| Closed on Mondays | Closed on Mondays |
Is the museum garden open to the public?
The garden is accessible to the public during museum opening hours.
Can I organize a school trip with my students to the Bertrand museum?
Many educational activities are possible to allow children to discover the museum's collections in a fun way.
- Information on 02 54 61 12 34.
Access
Also discover
From the Ebbes Valley to the Cordeliers convent, from the Raoul castle to the Bertrand museum, find all the places not to be missed during your stay in Châteauroux.
