"Musee Montagnard" or Museum of the Mountains of Les Houches was established in 1977 in the center of the village with the purpose of housing a large collection of furniture, utensils, equipment, still used in some parts of the Arve Valley until 1950 for agro-pastoral chores, both in farm houses and in alpine chalets.
This beautiful collection was donated to Les Houches by Mr. Albert Laprade, an eminent architect and urban planner, a member of the Institute who dedicated his life to protecting Chamonix's rich heritage.
It continues to grow thanks to the generosity of many donors. This museum is housed in one of the oldest houses in the village center, in the contemporary Baroque church (1750); it has the appearance of a traditional farm, it was built for the use of a brotherhood, the so-called "confrerie" (association composed of clergy men and laity) that in 1750, occupied the ground floor for meetings or potlucks.
New: The museum has expanded! Additional 80 m²: permanent exhibition, new kiosk, video projections, mediation room.
The association "Dans L'Temps" is no longer the manager of the museum, this task has been the responsibility of the Community of Municipalities of the Chamonix Valley since 2013, although the association remains an indispensable support of the museum, especially for temporary exhibitions.
Opening dates:
The Montagnard Museum has resumed its usual opening hours:
School holidays: from Wednesday to Friday from 2:00 pm to 6 pm;
July - August : every day except Tuesday from 2:30 pm to 6 pm.
Out of school holidays: only on reservation * from Monday to Friday according to availability (min. 2 pers.)
Closed on 1st January. 1st May and 25 December
Rates:
Standard ticket (Adults): €4
Reduced ticket (visitors with a guest card, for seniors and resident card holders) : €3
Free admission for visitors under 18 (museum visit in family)
Groupe (min. 10 pers.) : enfant €2.50 / adulte €3
Annual Museum Pass: €12
You can buy an annual museum pass for all the museums (Espace Tarraiz, Alpine Museum, Maison de la Memoire du Patrimoine in Chamonix, Montagnard Museum in Les Houches, Maison du Lieutenant in Servoz and Maison de Barberine in Vallorcine) which allows you unlimited access for 1 year.
More info and reservation: musee-montagnard@cc-valleedechamonixmb.fr
Tel: +33 7 60 04 14 26
Exhibition schedule
Winter holidays: from 4 February to 6 March 2023
FAMILY ANIMATION
BRODI, BRODA, BRODONS WORKSHOP
Tuesdays February 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 3 p.m.
Embroidery, what is it? Observe the objects in the museum before learning about embroidery with lacing (from 4 years old) or cross-stitch (from 6 years old)
Duration 2 hours / €4.10 per participant / By reservation on 07 60 04 14 26 (limited places)
PYROGRAVON WORKSHOP!
Thursday February 16 and Wednesday March 1 at 10 a.m. Take inspiration from the patterns on the wooden objects in the museum to try your hand at pyrography!
From 6 years old / Duration 2 hours / €4.10 per participant / By reservation on 07 60 04 14 26 (limited places)
ANIMATION TALE(S) AND TALE(S)
Monday February 6 at 4 p.m. and Thursday February 23 at 10:30 a.m.
Thanks to your imagination, the objects in the museum will become the heroes of your stories!
From 3 years old / Duration 1h30 / 3€ child; adult entrance fee / By reservation on 07 60 04 14 26
Spring holidays: from 8 April to 9 May 2023
WITH FAMILY PAPER QUEENS WORKSHOP
Tuesdays April 18 and May 2 at 2:15 p.m.
Queen of the mountain pastures, the cow is at the heart of the mountain culture of yesterday and today. In this workshop, it is up to you to represent it using cut-out paper on a watercolor mountain background. In partnership with the association Dans l’temps
From 6 years old / Duration 2h30 / €4.10 per participant / By reservation on 07 60 04 14 26 (before 12 noon)
KNITTING AND COMPANY WORKSHOP
Thursdays April 13, 20 and 27 at 10 a.m.
Discover the work of wool and make a seasonal decoration in knitting (from 6 years old) or in pompom (from 4 years old)
Duration 2 hours / €4.10 per participant / By reservation at the Les Houches Tourist Office: 04 50 55 50 62
SPRING READING-WORKSHOP
Fridays April 14 and 28 at 10:30 a.m.
With the arrival of spring, flowers grow in the mountain pastures! Readings around the exhibition on the mountain pastures followed by a workshop to represent its mountain flower.
In partnership with the Houches library From 5 years old / Duration 1h30 / €4.10 per participant / By reservation at the Les Houches Tourist Office: 04 50 55 50 62
OUTDOORS MOUNT TO MONT BORREL AND MANCHOIR
Wednesdays April 19 at 1:30 p.m. and April 26 at 9 a.m.
Explore the old mountain pastures of Mont Borrel and Le Manchoir in Les Houches in the company of the local history association Dans l'temps, Sébastien Perrier, mid-mountain guide and the cultural mediator of the Montagnard museum to discover their evolution over time.
From 8 years old / Duration 3 hours / €8.50 per participant / By reservation on 07 60 04 14 26 (before 6 p.m. the day before)
Outside school holidays
GUIDED TOURS TELL ME THE MOUNTAIN
Tuesdays at 4 p.m.: March 21, May 23, June 20
What daily life for the Houchards of yesteryear? A visit out of time through the reconstructed rooms of the traditional habitat.
From 10 years old / Duration 1 hour / Price: entrance fee to the museum (free -18 years old) / Reservation recommended on 07 60 04 14 26
All year round during opening periods
AUTONOMOUS GAMES
On request at the museum reception / Free OBJECT HUNT Keep your eyes open to spot the objects in the museum that will reveal their secrets to you!
From 3 years old
EXHIBITION GAME BOOKLET
With the Gentian cow, discover the temporary exhibition and unlock the secrets of life in the mountain pastures!
From 7 years old
Musee Montagnard
2, place de l'Eglise
74310 Les Houches
Tel: +33 7 60 04 14 26
Email: musee-montagnard@cc-valleedechamonixmb.fr
