All language & literature museums to visit in France

Celebrate the power of words at 29 language and literature museums in France. These museums explore the history of languages, literary works, and the lives of authors.

Are you a literature enthusiast? Here are the best language and literature museums in France

  1. Jules Verne Museum1

    Jules Verne Museum

     Nantes
    The Jules Verne Museum, located in Nantes, France, was established in 1978. It is dedicated to the life and works of the renowned writer Jules Verne, who was born in this city. The museum offers a deep dive into the world of this famous author, providing a unique opportunity to explore his life, his works, and his influence on literature and science fiction.
  2. Postcard Museum2

    Postcard Museum

     Antibes
    A series of stories captured on real historical postcards are what lies hidden in this little gem of a museum. The guide there speaks both English and French and will be happy to tell you about the historical value of this half-forgotten type of correspondence.
  3. Jean de La Fontaine Museum3

    Jean de La Fontaine Museum

     Château-Thierry
    The Musée Jean de La Fontaine is a unique writer's house museum situated in the charming town of Château-Thierry, France. This museum offers a glimpse into the life and works of the renowned French fabulist, Jean de La Fontaine.
  4. Ivan Turgenev European Museum4

    Ivan Turgenev European Museum

     Bougival
    The Ivan Turgenev Museum is situated at 16 rue Yvan Tourgueneff in Bougival, within the Yvelines department of France. Currently, the only access to the museum is through the parking lot of the forest, located at rue de la Croix au Vents.
  5. Zola House5

    Zola House

     Médan
    The residence of Émile Zola, located at 26 rue Pasteur in Médan in the Yvelines department, is a significant site for literary enthusiasts. Zola, a renowned French novelist, purchased this house in 1878 using the earnings from his novel 'The Killer'. This house not only served as his dwelling but also as a source of inspiration for his works.
  6. National Museum of Education6

    National Museum of Education

     Rouen
    The National Museum of Education (MUNAÉ) is a French museum situated in the city of Rouen. It is part of the Canopé network, a French educational resource network. The museum has been awarded the label 'Museum of France', a mark of recognition by the French Ministry of Culture.
  7. Museum of Brittany7

    Museum of Brittany

     Rennes
    The Brittany Museum, known as Musée de Bretagne in French, is a social history museum situated in the Champs Libres cultural centre in Rennes, France. The museum is dedicated to the conservation, study, and presentation of the history of Brittany and Breton heritage from prehistory to the present day. It provides a comprehensive overview of the region's history and culture, making it a significant destination for those interested in understanding Brittany's past and present.
  8. Musee Maison Pierre Corneille8

    Musee Maison Pierre Corneille

     Rouen
    The Pierre-Corneille Museum is a tribute to the life and works of the renowned writer Pierre Corneille. It is situated in his birthplace in Rouen, a stone's throw away from the Place du Vieux-Marché. This location not only offers a glimpse into the life of the writer but also provides a chance to explore the historic city of Rouen.
  9. Museum of the Arab World9

    Museum of the Arab World

     Paris
    The institut du monde arabe (Institute of the Arab World) is a building and an organization in Paris. The building houses, among other things, the Museum of the Arab World and a library. It is part of the Grands Travaux which is the legacy of the presidency of François Mitterrand. The building was d
  10. Municipal Archives10

    Municipal Archives

     Avignon
    A place housing all the documents and written evidence of the regional history, cultural heritage, important buildings as well as citizens.
  11. Saint John Perse Foundation11

    Saint John Perse Foundation

     Aix-en-Provence
    The Saint-John-Perse Museum is a municipal museum situated in the historic district of Pointe-à-Pitre, in Guadeloupe. This location makes it easily accessible for tourists who are exploring the city. The museum is a significant cultural site that offers insights into the local history and culture.
  12. Jean Vilar Centre12

    Jean Vilar Centre

     Avignon
    The Maison Jean Vilar, inaugurated on July 18, 1979, is a cultural hub dedicated to the life and work of Jean Vilar. Vilar was a significant figure in French theatre, known for his role as the founder of the Avignon Festival and the director of the Théâtre National Populaire (TNP). The Maison Jean Vilar offers a range of activities including performances, readings, meetings, and exhibitions, providing a comprehensive insight into Vilar's contributions to the world of theatre.
  13. Mundolingua13

    Mundolingua

     Paris
    Mundolingua is a museum in Paris that is dedicated to language and linguistics. Organized on two levels, the museum features touchscreens, recordings, games and objects that illustrate the various subjects.
  14. Musée des Arts et Métiers du Livre14

    Musée des Arts et Métiers du Livre

     Montolieu
    The Musée des Arts et Métiers du Livre de Montolieu was established by Michel Braibant, a passionate bookbinder and bibliophile. This museum is a testament to his love for books and the art of bookbinding, offering visitors a unique insight into the history and craft of bookmaking.
  15. Musée de la vie romantique15

    Musée de la vie romantique

     Paris
    The Musée de la vie romantique museum is one of the three literary museums in Paris together with Maison de Balzac and Maison de Victor Hugo. It displays works of romantic authors - e.g. sculptures by Bartholdi, paintings by Ary Scheffer and also many items connected to the persona of George Sand.
  16. Cayla Castle-Museum16

    Cayla Castle-Museum

     Andillac
    The Cayla Castle-Museum, also known as the Eugénie and Maurice de Guérin Museum, is situated in the quaint town of Andillac, in the Tarn department of France. This location offers visitors a chance to explore the rich history and culture of the region while enjoying the scenic beauty of the French countryside.
  17. Museum Jean-Jacques Rousseau17

    Museum Jean-Jacques Rousseau

     Montmorency
    The Jean-Jacques Rousseau Museum is situated in the charming town of Montmorency, nestled in the Val-d'Oise department of France. This location offers visitors a chance to explore the rich history and culture of the region while immersing themselves in the life and works of the renowned philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
  18. Denis Diderot House of Enlightenment18

    Denis Diderot House of Enlightenment

     Langres
    La Maison des Lumières Denis Diderot (MLDD) is a museum located in the French city of Langres. It is dedicated to the life and works of Denis Diderot, a writer, philosopher, and co-editor of the Encyclopédie, who was born in Langres on October 5, 1713. The museum was opened on Diderot's 300th birthday, October 5, 2013, and is supported by the city of Langres.
  19. Maison de Balzac19

    Maison de Balzac

     Paris
    The Maison de Balzac is a writer's museum in paris that is dedicated to the person of Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850), who lived and wrote here for a long time. The house with its large garden is the only Parisian residence of Balzac that has been preserved. Balzac wrote La Comédie humaine (The Human C
  20. Museum of National Resistance20

    Museum of National Resistance

     Champigny-sur-Marne
    The Museum of National Resistance (MRN) is a network of museums dedicated to the French Resistance during World War II. Its main site is located in Champigny-sur-Marne, a town situated to the east of Paris. This museum is part of a larger network that includes other sites across France, making it a significant point of interest for those interested in the history of the French Resistance.
  21. Museum Marguerite Yourcenar21

    Museum Marguerite Yourcenar

     Saint-Jans-Cappel
    The Marguerite-Yourcenar Museum is situated in the heart of Saint-Jans-Cappel, a commune in the Dunkirk district, in the canton of Bailleul-Nord-Est. This location is easily accessible via highway exits (A25) and the railway station located in Bailleul, which is just 5 kilometers from the village. This makes it a convenient destination for tourists.
  22. House Alexandra David-Néel22

    House Alexandra David-Néel

     Digne-les-Bains
    The Alexandra David-Néel House, also known as Samten Dzong, is a museum and interpretation center located in Digne-les-Bains, France. This museum is dedicated to the life and works of the orientalist writer Alexandra David-Néel. It was her former residence and is a significant site for understanding her life and contributions to literature and oriental studies.
  23. Paul Valéry Museum23

    Paul Valéry Museum

     Sète
    The Paul Valéry Museum is a significant cultural landmark in the city of Sète. It is situated on the slope of Mount Saint-Clair, overlooking the marine cemetery where the renowned poet Paul Valéry is laid to rest. This location not only offers a rich historical context but also provides visitors with a picturesque view of the surrounding area.
  24. Le Clos Arsène Lupin, Maison Maurice Leblanc24

    Le Clos Arsène Lupin, Maison Maurice Leblanc

     Étretat
    Le Clos Arsène Lupin, Maison Maurice Leblanc is a museum located in Étretat, dedicated to the fictional hero Arsène Lupin, who was created by the writer Maurice Leblanc. The museum is situated in the former home of Maurice Leblanc, providing an intimate look into the life and works of the author.
  25. Champollion Museum25

    Champollion Museum

     Figeac
    The Champollion Museum, situated in Figeac, Lot, France, is a tribute to the life and work of Jean-François Champollion. Known for his significant contribution to the deciphering of Egyptian hieroglyphs, Champollion's legacy is preserved and celebrated in this museum. Visitors can explore the history of Champollion's life, his discoveries, and the broader history of writing.
  26. Museum Alexandre Dumas26

    Museum Alexandre Dumas

     Villers-Cotterêts
    The Alexandre Dumas Museum, located in Villers-Cotterêts, France, was inaugurated in 1905. The museum is situated in the commune where Thomas-Alexandre Davy de la Pailleterie, the father of the renowned writer Alexandre Dumas and grandfather of Alexandre Dumas fils, passed away in 1806. This historical connection adds a layer of significance to the museum's location.
  27. 27

    Joan Bodon

     Crespin
    Joan Bodon, born in Crespin, Aveyron, Occitania (France) on December 11, 1920, and died on February 24, 1975, in Algeria, was an author who wrote exclusively in Occitan. His works, which include novels, stories, and poems, were inspired by the universality of life. Despite the usual contempt of the Parisian élite for minority languages, Bodon is credited as being one of the most prominent Occitan writers of the twentieth century. His mother, a storyteller from Rouergue, paved the way for his love and frequent use of traditional Occitan language folktales and figures.
  28. 28

    Archives Municipales de Cannes

     Cannes
    Familiarize yourself with the history of Cannes through various documents! This archive possesses manuscripts from the 16th century.
  29. 29

    Memorial De La Marseillaise

     Marseille
    The Mémorial de la Marseillaise celebrates France's revolutionary national anthem called 'the Marseillaise'. It is housed in a house built in 1681, this old house is a former indoor ball court and a Turkish bath house until the mid 1970s. The exhibits of the museum are mostly related to the history