Musée Histoire et Culture des Sourds
In the heart of Bresse, in Saône-et-Loire, the Museum of Deaf History and Culture is the first public museum in France devoted entirely to the history and culture of the deaf.
Housed in an annexe of the Hôtel-Dieu, right next to the Grande Rue and its 157 medieval arcades, the museum has a unique collection of manuscripts and objects tracing the history of the deaf since the 18th century.
The tour is organised around nine major themes: the genesis of the first public museum for the deaf and its co-founders Armand Pelletier and Yves Delaporte; the beginnings of French sign language (LSF); the role of Abbé de l'Épée in the education of deaf children; the history of the education of deaf children, marked by the debate between sign language and oralism; the figure of Ferdinand Berthier, a deaf advocate from Louhans; deaf art as a means of expression; the role of associations in the Réveil sourd; deaf sport; and developments in adapted telephone communication.
Particular attention is paid to Ferdinand Berthier (1803-1886), an emblematic figure in the history of the deaf. A native of Louhans, he was a pupil and then a teacher at the Institution des Sourds-Muets in Paris, and devoted his life to the education and defence of the rights of the deaf. He was made a Knight of the Legion of Honour under Napoleon III and is buried in Sagy, a few kilometres from Louhans.
Today, the museum is a place of remembrance, transmission and discovery, accessible to all.
Key words : Louhans, museum, deaf history, deaf culture, French sign language, LSF, Hôtel-Dieu, Ferdinand Berthier, abbé de l'Épée, deaf education, deaf art, deaf sport, heritage, Saône-et-Loire.
Housed in an annexe of the Hôtel-Dieu, right next to the Grande Rue and its 157 medieval arcades, the museum has a unique collection of manuscripts and objects tracing the history of the deaf since the 18th century.
The tour is organised around nine major themes: the genesis of the first public museum for the deaf and its co-founders Armand Pelletier and Yves Delaporte; the beginnings of French sign language (LSF); the role of Abbé de l'Épée in the education of deaf children; the history of the education of deaf children, marked by the debate between sign language and oralism; the figure of Ferdinand Berthier, a deaf advocate from Louhans; deaf art as a means of expression; the role of associations in the Réveil sourd; deaf sport; and developments in adapted telephone communication.
Particular attention is paid to Ferdinand Berthier (1803-1886), an emblematic figure in the history of the deaf. A native of Louhans, he was a pupil and then a teacher at the Institution des Sourds-Muets in Paris, and devoted his life to the education and defence of the rights of the deaf. He was made a Knight of the Legion of Honour under Napoleon III and is buried in Sagy, a few kilometres from Louhans.
Today, the museum is a place of remembrance, transmission and discovery, accessible to all.
Key words : Louhans, museum, deaf history, deaf culture, French sign language, LSF, Hôtel-Dieu, Ferdinand Berthier, abbé de l'Épée, deaf education, deaf art, deaf sport, heritage, Saône-et-Loire.
OuverturesThe museum is open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays from 2pm to 5pm from 17/03/2025. The Museum is closed for the winter period. However, it is possible to visit the museum during the closure period by appointment.
Open from 02/03/2026 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays from 2pm to 5pm.
When the museum is closed, tours can be booked by text message or e-mail, in French or sign language, subject to guide availability.
Open from 02/03/2026 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays from 2pm to 5pm.
When the museum is closed, tours can be booked by text message or e-mail, in French or sign language, subject to guide availability.
Général
- Museum :
- Municipal museum
- Pets :
- Pets accepted
- Pets not accepted
- Visit language(s) :
- French
- Other
- Tape guide language(s) :
- French
- Other
- Visit :
- Guided tour on request
- Only in free visit
- Free visit on request
Equipements & Services
- Equipments :
- Bathroom
| Fares | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|
| Tarif de base - Adulte Plein tarif | 5.50€ | 8.00€ |
| Tarif enfant | 3.00€ | 5.00€ |
Contact
Musée Histoire et Culture des Sourds
14 Rue Edgar Guigot
71500
LOUHANS
Phone : +33 9 73 03 96 00
Mob : +33 6 81 80 61 26
- Method of payment :
- Credit card
- Spoken languages :
- Other