The museum of primitive arts from around the world at the medieval château in Cannes

Built in the 11th century on the initiative of the monks of Lérins, who had settled on the island of Saint-Honorat, the château is one of the few remaining reminders of the Middle Ages in Cannes. A conventual building, in other words a male monastery, it comprises a main building, a tower and a chapel. The 21-metre square tower was used to watch over the bay in the event of an attack.

The castle was destroyed in the 18th century by the Bishop of Grasse. During the French Revolution, it was sold to a wealthy family who renovated and lived there until 1878.

It was then leased to a ceramics manufacturer.

In 1919, the commune of Cannes succeeded in buying back all the monuments to house the museum. Previously known as the Musée de la Castre, it will become the Musée des Explorations du Monde in 2021.

The square tower

The square tower stands at the centre of the château. Measuring 21 metres high, it has 109 steps that you can climb to reach the top. From the top of the tower, the view over the town of Cannes is breathtaking.

The gardens

Visitors are welcomed into gardens planted with Mediterranean species, including large umbrella pines, laurel and olive trees.

The chapel

The chapel is dedicated to musical instruments from around the world, and is filled with them.

In 1877, after living in Canne, a wealthy Dutch baron bequeathed part of his collection to the town he loved so much.

The collections are grouped into several sections:

Primitive arts: an ethnographic journey

This first collection brings together art from the Himalayas, Tibet, the Arctic, pre-Columbian America and Oceania.

The mountains of the Himalayas and the wonders of Tibet

This collection tells the story of village shamanism and Tibetan Buddhism through masks, headdresses and statues. The pieces were found in India, Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan.

The polar cold of the Arctic and its peoples

The indigenous populations of Canada, Greenland and Alaska are explored through some sixty everyday objects, including hunting and fishing tools and small ivory figurines.

The Amerindians of pre-Columbian America

Three large display cases retrace the history of pre-Columbian civilisation, with a particular focus on the Andes, Peru and the history of Mexico and Central America.

There are some exceptional pieces on display, including a stone grindstone in the shape of a jaguar from Costa Rica.

The indigenous peoples of the islands of Oceania

This is one of the jewels in the museum's crown. Here you'll be able to see exhibits spanning the history of Oceania, including weapons from Polynesia and Melanesia and a pirogue prow from the Trobriand Islands in New Guinea.

Mediterranean Antiques: A journey through history

In the lower room of the abbot's tower, you'll find a rich collection of ancient objects from Mediterranean civilisations.

This room contains almost 5,000 years of art. They range from Sumerian clay tablets written in cuneiform, through two early Christian lead sarcophagi, to fourth-century Christian lead sarcophagi.

Most of the Mediterranean collection was bequeathed by Jacqueline Damien and the Baron, who collected such items during his travels in the Near East.

Collection of world instruments

The castle chapel contains hundreds of primitive instruments. A real goldmine for history and music enthusiasts.

🚌 How do I get to the Museum of World Explorations?

The museum is located just above the old port of Cannes, in the Suquet district, a very pleasant area to visit. From the Croisette district, the walk up to the museum takes about 15 minutes.

👛 How much does entry cost?

Admission is €6, with a reduced rate of €3.

You can book your tickets on Cannesbillet.

⏰ How long can I stay?

We recommend that you stay at the museum for between 2 and 3 hours. In addition to the art collections, the castle grounds and monuments are well worth a visit!

⭐ Cannes Old Town Suites