📅 INAUGURATION
Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 8 p.m. to midnight
On the occasion of the European Night of Museums
📍 ADDRESS
1 Place d'Orléans, 60200 Compiègne
(former officers' mess of the Staff College)
🎫 ENTRANCE
Free from May 23 to August 16, 2026
🏛 COLLECTION
155,000 pieces — label “Musée de France”
🖼 SURFACE
1,000 m² spread across six themed areas
Two years of work were required to give the Compiègne Figurine Museum its new look. The institution will reopen to the public on Saturday, May 23, 2026, and will be changing both address and size: the former officers' mess of the Staff College, located at 1 Place d'Orléans.
With its surface area increased to 1,000 m² — compared to 500 m² previously — and an immersive scenography designed by La Fabrique Créative, the project completely reinvents the presentation of a collection unique in Europe. Designated a " Musée de France ," this collection comprises 155,000 pieces ranging from prehistory to contemporary art, nearly 100,000 of which were previously held in storage.
Beyond a simple relocation, this reopening marks a complete overhaul: a new permanent route in six themed spaces, interactive devices, redesigned accessibility, and free entry for the first three months.
Entrance to the Figurine Museum: the building whose facade and roofs are listed as historical monuments.
A reopening after two years of transformation
Closed to the public since May 1, 2024, the Figurine Museum is permanently leaving its former site — the Hôtel de la Cloche, adjoining the Compiègne Town Hall — to move into a new setting: the former officers' mess of the Staff College , Place d'Orléans.
Led by the City of Compiègne , the project mobilized a total budget of approximately 4 million euros and benefits from the support of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to the tune of €1,921,931.44.
The scenographic design was entrusted to La Fabrique Créative , an agency specializing in immersive museum experiences.
The new 1,000 m² exhibition space—twice the size of the old site—allows for the display of a previously unseen portion of the collections: of the 155,000 items in the collection, nearly 100,000 figurines were previously in storage. The completely renovated building also houses a workshop for young people, a documentation center open to all, and a specialized shop .
Reopening poster campaign
"We often need someone smaller than ourselves."
A unique institution in France for over 40 years
The Compiègne Figurine Museum originated from two foundational bequests: that of Arthur de Marsy in 1901, consisting of polychrome wooden soldiers sculpted by Jean-Baptiste Clémence (1749-1801) at the end of the 18th century, and that of Alfred Ternisien in 1927, comprising several thousand figurines representing historical armies. Inaugurated in its modern form in 1984 under the impetus of Abbot Robert Ducoin , it became the first French museum entirely dedicated to historical figurines.
→ To rediscover the evolution of the collection, consult our page on the former Museum of Historical Figurines in Compiègne .
An immersive scenography by La Fabrique Créative
The new permanent exhibition is divided into six themed areas spread over 1,000 square meters. The scenography, designed by the agency La Fabrique Créative , alternates between interactive displays, audiovisual projections, and immersive soundtracks. The museographic approach is clear: the staging serves the pieces, never the other way around. Light, sound, and digital devices create an immersive atmosphere while keeping the figurine at the center of attention.
Four original features punctuate the visit:
Several installations punctuate the exhibition and invite experimentation. An optical theater brings the movement of figurines to life, in a nod to the origins of cinema. A touch table showcases the contemporary world of Warhammer , broadening the theme to include modern miniature wargaming. Younger visitors can create their own cards using stamps , or participate in a photo booth that integrates them, in miniature, into the world of the collections.
Beyond these installations, the route incorporates mediation content designed for all audiences, as well as enhanced accessibility features.
La Fabrique Créative website >
With 155,000 pieces bearing the " Musée de France" label , the Compiègne collection is among the most important in Europe dedicated to figurines. It covers a chronological range from Prehistory to contemporary creation, and brings together a wide variety of materials: from traditional lead and tin to sculpted wood, including porcelain, raw earth, and even painted plastic from more recent productions.
The major French companies are represented there, starting with CBG-Mignot — founded in 1825 and still in operation — and its hand-painted lead soldiers, alongside the Pixi company, known for its comic book universes.
The collection also includes works by leading figure sculptors: Vladimir Douchkine , Alexandre Ballada , and Jean-Baptiste Clémence (1749-1801), whose polychrome wooden soldiers constitute one of the founding collections of the museum.
The Waterloo Battle diorama: centerpiece of the collection
This monumental display features approximately 12,000 figurines across 21 square meters and captures a specific moment in the battle: the afternoon of June 18, 1815, when the outcome—and with it, the fate of the Napoleonic Empire—was being decided. The meticulous attention to historical detail, from the positioning of the regiments to the uniforms, makes it a must-see for enthusiasts of the period.
Added to the collections in 1931, this diorama made by Charles Laurent, in flat tin, is considered one of the most remarkable reproductions of battlefields from the Napoleonic period.
Learn more about the Battle of Waterloo >>
Opening program: European Night of Museums 2026
The official opening of the new museum coincides with the European Night of Museums , a national cultural event organised annually by the Ministry of Culture.
The 22nd edition will bring together more than 3,000 museums in France and Europe in 2026. The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 8 p.m. to midnight, at 1 Place d'Orléans, in the completely renovated building.
On the agenda
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Saturday, May 23, 8 p.m.–midnight: free admission, self-guided tour of the collections. Live illustrations will be presented within the exhibition spaces, in collaboration with Le Théâtre à Moustaches.
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Sunday , May 24, 10am-1pm and 2pm-6pm: self-guided visit, under normal opening conditions.
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From May 23 to August 16, 2026 : free entry for all, as part of the three-month inauguration.
A teaser by Panic in the Village
To accompany its reopening, the museum commissioned the creation of a teaser video from the team at Panique au Village—a Belgian animation collective internationally renowned for its quirky and poetic style. The short film, entitled "Panic at the Compiègne Figurine Museum," offers a glimpse of the playful dimension of the new exhibition and confirms the museum's commitment to being accessible to all audiences.
→ panicauvillage.com
Teaser made in stop-motion — frame-by-frame animation of plastic figurines — by Stéphane Aubier and Vincent Patar, creators of the cult Belgian series Panique au Village (Canal+ Belgium, 2002) and the feature film of the same name, the first stop-motion film programmed at the Cannes Film Festival in 2009.
Opening hours and access: planning your visit
Opening hours from May 26, 2026
After the opening weekend of May 23 and 24, the museum will adopt its regular opening hours:
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Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday: 10am-1pm and 2pm-6pm
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Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 2pm-6pm
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Closed on Mondays
The museum is also closed on January 1st, May 1st, July 14th, November 1st and December 25th.
Prices
Admission is free for everyone from May 23 to August 16, 2026, as part of the three-month opening celebration. The admission fees applicable after this period are available from the Museums of Compiègne.
Address and access
Figurine Museum — 1 Place d'Orléans, 60200 Compiègne
The museum occupies the former officers' mess of the Staff College, in the heart of historic Compiègne.
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By train: Compiègne is about 50 minutes from Paris Gare du Nord via the K line (TER Hauts-de-France). The Compiègne SNCF train station is about a ten-minute walk from the museum.
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By car: access via the A1 motorway, Compiègne-Nord or Compiègne-Sud exit. Several public car parks are available in the town centre.
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On foot: the museum is part of a heritage trail that also includes the Château de Compiègne , the Antoine Vivenel Museum and the Saint-Corneille Cloister Museum .
The museum shop: two Figurart creations - a tribute to Compiègne's heritage
The new museum layout includes a specialized shop, a natural extension of the visit. Among the items it offers are two figurines produced in official collaboration with the Museums of Compiègne and created by Figurart, a Compiègne-based workshop specializing in hand-painted pewter figurines. These two editions, exclusive to the museum shop, pay tribute to two key figures in local heritage: one the founder of the collection, the other a native of Compiègne.
Constitutional Guard of the King, according to Jean-Baptiste Clémence
This lead soldier figurine, cast in tin and hand-painted, depicts a member of the Constitutional Guard from the late 18th century. It is directly inspired by the work of Jean-Baptiste Clémence (1749-1801), a Parisian craftsman who documented the armies of his time through figures sculpted in wood and enhanced with oil paints. Bequeathed to the Musée de la Figurine in Compiègne in 1901 by Arthur de Marsy, these works are now cornerstones of the collection—and it is precisely this legacy that this contemporary edition extends.
Gulliver, after Albert Robida
The second figurine is inspired by another major figure in Compiègne's heritage: Albert Robida (1848-1926), illustrator, lithographer and caricaturist born in Compiègne on May 14, 1848. A prolific author of works for young people, Robida notably illustrated Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels in an edition published by Henri Laurens, the first edition of which dates back to 1907. The figurine reproduces the silhouette and costume of Robida's Gulliver: long burgundy coat, coral waistcoat with gold buttons, blond wig and wide-brimmed black hat — characteristics of the character as the illustrator had established him for generations of readers.
Two official editions, made in France
These two pieces are produced in the Figurart workshop in Compiègne, which perpetuates the traditional techniques of French figurine making: tin alloy molding, hand deburring, and fine brush painting. Each figurine is delivered in a case bearing the "Les Musées de Compiègne" signature and accompanied by a certificate from Artisans d'art and Atelier d'Art de France.
→ To learn more about these editions and all Figurart creations, consult our catalogue of pewter figurines .
Inside the new Figurine Museum in Compiègne
A few hours before its official opening to the public, we had the privilege of a sneak peek at the new Figurine Museum in Compiègne. Here's what we took away from this visit, as figurine artisans based just a few minutes away.
The new scenography lives up to its promise. The lighting of the pieces makes moving through the dioramas more immersive than ever—a detail that may seem insignificant but makes all the difference for such small works, where every painted relief counts. The six thematic spaces flow smoothly, without ever losing the visitor.
The Waterloo diorama, already spectacular in the old museum, has been revitalized since its restoration. Augmented reality technology and the perspective it offers allow visitors to take in the scene in its entirety. It is undoubtedly the exhibit that will leave the biggest impression on visitors, both children and adults.
Special mention goes to the interactive displays: the optical theater showcases Compiègne's cultural heritage, and the touchscreen table dedicated to Warhammer creates a clear link between historical miniatures and contemporary gaming culture. This thoughtful approach, designed for all audiences, will delight all ages, allowing generations to come together around the miniatures.
Accessibility for all audiences
The new museum was designed from the outset as an inclusive space adapted to the diversity of its visitors. Several features are deployed throughout the entire visitor experience:
Multilingual content: all exhibition texts and mediation materials are available in French, English and German, in line with the international visitor numbers in Compiègne.
Hearing accessibility: hearing loops are integrated into the main areas for hearing-impaired visitors equipped with a hearing aid.
Physical accessibility: the entire route is accessible to people with reduced mobility (access, circulation, sanitary facilities).
Youth mediation: a permanent workshop welcomes young audiences for manual activities around the figurine, accompanying school or family visits.
Documentation Centre: open to researchers, students and enthusiasts, it allows for in-depth exploration of the collections beyond the exhibition route.
VISIT COMPIÈGNE
Planning your visit to Compiègne
The new Figurine Museum is part of a particularly dense heritage site, which justifies a day visit, or even a short stay.
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The Château de Compiègne : royal and then imperial residence, which houses three national museums (Historic Apartments, Second Empire Museum, Car Museum).
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The Armistice Clearing Memorial: located in the Compiègne forest, it commemorates the armistices of 1918 and 1940. The original wagon, destroyed in 1945, has been reconstructed identically.
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The Antoine Vivenel Museum: Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeology, managed by the Museums of Compiègne.
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The Cloister of Saint-Corneille Museum: a museum of religious art housed in a medieval cloister.
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The Compiègne state forest: one of the largest forests in France, ideal for extending the cultural visit with a walk.
Things to see nearby
Questions fréquentes
The Figurart workshop, a few minutes from the museum
Near the museum, the Figurart workshop perpetuates the traditional techniques of tin figurine making. One of the last French manufacturers to maintain this artisanal tradition in the Compiègne region, the workshop is open by appointment to visitors wishing to discover the behind-the-scenes process and complement their cultural visit with a direct experience of the craft.
→ Discover the Figurart workshop
Sources and references
This page was compiled using official communications from the Museums of Compiègne, press coverage of the reopening, and available heritage documentation. The information is updated as new material is published by the institution.
Institutional sources
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Museums of Compiègne — official website
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Compiègne Region Agglomeration (ARC)
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Catalogue of collections — OPAC Musée de la Figurine
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Compiègne-Pierrefonds Tourist Office
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The Creative Factory — scenography
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Europe is committed to France — Inauguration of the new Figurine Museum in Compiègne
Press coverage of the reopening
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Paris ZigZag — Reopening of the Compiègne Figurine Museum, 2026
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The Gazette of the Communes — Redesign of the Compiègne Figurine Museum
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Onirik — The new Figurine Museum opens its doors on May 23, 2026
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Hauts-de-France Press Agency — Compiègne: inauguration of the new museum
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Europe in France — ERDF support for the transformation project
To go further
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Museum of Historical Figurines in Compiègne: History and Heritage — our feature on the institution's history before its transformation
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Atelier Figurart, French manufacturer of pewter figurines — discover local craftsmanship
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Figurart figurine catalogue — contemporary hand-painted pewter creations