Paper Museum
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About
Located in Angoulême on the banks of the Charente River, the Paper Museum has been housed since 1988 in the former Lacroix paper mills, which later became the Joseph-Bardou "Le Nil" paper mills until their closure in 1972. Renovated starting in 1983, the museum buildings are built over the river and form a bridge, stretching from Rue de Bordeaux to the island of Saint Cybard.
The permanent exhibition "Charente Confluences: From the River to Industry, From Paper to Image" is dedicated to Angoulême’s rich industrial past linked to paper and related industries. Upstairs, temporary exhibitions showcase the variety of the collections and highlight contemporary artists working with paper.
In the rooms located on the Charente level, the flow of water evokes the use of hydraulic power. Waterwheels, sluice gates, and water channels are remnants that bear witness to this. A very special atmosphere reigns here. The exhibition is organized around five themes:
- Discover the Charente River and its various functions;
- Understand the artisanal and industrial production of paper;
- Identify the many industries in the department;
- Learn about the site’s history over the centuries;
- Explore the Vallée de l'Image and its training schools.
The museum’s exceptional collection is regularly showcased through temporary exhibitions. It preserves the history of paper in all its forms: paper samples, packaging, cigarette paper, and advertising posters. It is further enriched by contemporary graphic works.
Entry from the Muséofile database (Directory of Museums in France): M0819
Reception
Conditions of visits:
Opening hours
Open on public holidays. Closed on January 1, May 1, November 1, and December 25.
Prices
- Admission price: €3.70.
- Reduced rate: €2.40.
Valid with proof of eligibility: residents of Angoulême, large families, young people aged 18 to 25, seniors over 65, groups of more than 8 people, and holders of a ticket issued within the last 7 days from the other museum or a ticket for a tour of the Cathedral Treasury. - Free admission: individuals under 18, season ticket holders, art students, recipients of minimum social benefits, cultural professionals, journalists, people with disabilities or impairments and their companions, recreation centers, group leaders and drivers, teachers preparing for a scheduled visit, City of Angoulême employees, veterans, and war victims.
- Group admission fee for self-guided tours
- Groups of 8 to 15 people: €19.
- Groups of 16 to 30 people: €36.
- Groups of 31 to 50 people: €54.
- Group admission fee for guided tours
- Groups of 8 to 15 people: €59.
- Groups of 16 to 30 people: €94.
- Groups of 31 to 50 people: €131.
Admission to the Paper Museum is free on the first Sunday of every month.
Equipment and services
- Parking
- Toilets
- In-store shopping
- Animations