LE MUSÉE DE BLAIN, « au cœur du temps et de l’objet »

The largest collection of fèves in France

Unique in France, a collection of tens of thousands of fèves retraces the complete history of this tradition, from its origins in the 1880s to the present day. It attracts many enthusiastic visitors and collectors. Every year in spring, a special ‘fèves fair’ is held.

A significant archaeological collection

One room is dedicated to prehistory and the Gallo-Roman period. Numerous artefacts, including the ‘Decebalus Vase’ and the statue of the god ‘Cernunos’, as well as a significant collection of coins, bear witness to the rich history of Blain and its region.

A reconstruction of local life around 1900

Shops and stalls from 1900 – a grocer’s, a café-tobacconist’s, a butcher’s, a baker’s, a post office, a hairdresser’s, a clog-maker and cobbler’s… as well as a classroom – have been meticulously reconstructed.

A collection of nativity scenes from around the world

A substantial collection of nativity scenes from the French provinces, Europe and around the world, built up over the years – part of which is on permanent display – evokes Christmas traditions. A rich variety of styles and materials, reflecting the craftsmanship of every region of the globe.

A unique collection of planes

The Blain Museum houses the collection of Mr and Mrs Genoist, which was acquired by the town of Blain. Two rooms showcase a selection of pieces, chosen from among the more than a thousand in this unique collection, some of which are of venerable age. This offers an opportunity to discover and admire these tools, some of which come from distant lands, and which for centuries have been used to build homes and craft everyday objects.

A programme of temporary exhibitions

The museum supports local creativity. Artist collectives and associations present their works every month. These exhibitions are held throughout the year in a dedicated area of the ground-floor hall, during normal opening hours.