Our take
The building that houses the plug-and-play Strat and the wall of Marshall amps is not a castle: it's a town house in the centre of Montluçon. The surprise is all the stronger for it. Take a teenager there and they come out delighted, which says it all.
A museum of popular music housed in two town houses in the old centre of Montluçon, a collection unique in France.
Museum of Popular Music in Montluçon, housed in two town houses in the town centre (the hôtel de Charnisay and the hôtel Méchain), at the foot of the castle of the Dukes of Bourbon. Three floors of instruments (hurdy-gurdies, accordions, electric guitars, synths), interactive stations for listening, a built-in concert hall. A collection unique in France on popular music and amplified music. 1 hour 30 to 2 hours on site.
Why we love it
- The Charnisay and Méchain town houses, not a castle
- From 18th-century hurdy-gurdies to a wall of amps
- The listening stations where you lose track of time
- A real concert hall built into the museum
Top tip
1 hour 30 to 2 hours, depending on how many of the interactive stations you try. Can be combined with Montluçon market (Saturday morning). Free parking near the castle.
Before you go
- Allow €6 to €8 for the adult rate, free for under-7s.
- Put on the headphones at every station, that's where the museum comes alive
- On Saturday morning, combine it with Montluçon market
- Allow 2 hours if you try every station
- Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00, from April to August; Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 to 17:00, from September to February. Closed all of March.
Practical info
- Address
- 3 Rue Notre Dame, 03100 Montluçon, France
03100 Montluçon - MondayClosed
- Tuesday10h–17h
- Wednesday10h–17h
- Thursday10h–17h
- Friday10h–17h
- Saturday10h–17h
- TodayClosed
Opening hours
What visitors say
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Your logbook
Around MuPop · Musée des Musiques Populaires
6 spots in and around Montluçon, enough to build your day.
Where to eat close by
€€Le Saint Trop
4.8Montluçon · a 5-minute walk away
€€Pépé Louis
4.8Montluçon · a 5-minute walk away
Artémis Café
4.8Montluçon · a 5-minute walk away
A place to see, a night to spend?
Hotels, gîtes and B&Bs within 20 km of Montluçon. Availability and online booking.
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