Comtois Museum A key player in fostering dialogue between cultures and societies

My visit to the Musée Comtois

With its 15 galleries spread across three floors, the permanent exhibition at the Musée Comtois invites you to explore more than a century of lives, customs, and stories in Franche-Comté. Artifacts, portraits, personal accounts, and creative works come together to tell the story of how the region has transformed from the late^19th century to the present day. From daily life to the performing arts, from folk legends to stories of migration, the museum offers a thoughtful look at the journeys, customs, and memories that have shaped the region.

On the top floor of the museum, an exceptional collection of puppets awaits you. It showcases the local passion for this form of performing arts, the richness of the creative work, and the freedom of expression of artists from Franche-Comté.

Photography is a recurring theme throughout the exhibition. From images by Jean Garneret and the Folklore Comtois association (1930s–1990s) to glass plates from the d’Orival family (late 19th–early 20th century), and including contemporary works by Marc Paygnard—on view starting April 19, 2025— these diverse perspectives offer a glimpse into the lives of the region’s women, men, and children.