THE WORLD EXPLORATION MUSEUM

CANNES

The Museum of World Explorers

Ascend to the heights of Cannes' historic district and let yourself be seduced by the Musée des Explorations du Monde.
Formerly known as the Musée de la Castre, this place takes you on an extraordinary journey through primitive art, orientalism and ancient treasures.
Get ready to discover temporary exhibitions that will enrich your experience ...

From the Musée de la Castre to the Musée des explorateurs

Le Suquet, the historic district of Cannes, hides a treasure at the top of its heights: the Musée des Explorations du Monde.
Where once stood the medieval castle of the monks of Lérins, a historic monument, the museum now stands proudly, offering a majestic view of the Croisette, the bay and the islands of Lérins. islands of Lérins.

In 1877, Baron Martinus Lycklama à Nijeholt, passionate about antiquities, orientalism, ethnography and primitive art, bequeathed his precious collections to the City of Cannes.
This 19th-century Dutch adventurer had made his home in Cannes.

In 1919, the commune of Cannes conquered the hilltop buildings of Le Suquet to house its museum, then housed in the town hall.
The building, modelled on a medieval château, welcomes visitors to an enclosure combining keep, main building and chapel.
A square tower at the heart of the central courtyard offers an unobstructed view, once used for surveillance purposes.

Starting out as the Musée de la Castre, the site will reinvent itself in 2021 to become the Musée des Explorations du Monde, opening its doors to a whole new world of adventure.

Magical gardens and breathtaking views

Discover the Museum of World Explorations, known as MEM.
Even before you enter, you'll be enchanted by an enchanting garden, filled with Mediterranean species and majestic umbrella pines.
From here, a breathtaking view stretches down to the beaches of the Midi, transporting you into an unforgettable adventure.

Follow the museum circuit and discover an inner courtyard housing the watchtower, ready to take you to the heights.
Climb 109 steps to reach a breathtaking 360° panorama of Cannes and its coastline.

 

Immerse yourself in sensational collections in intimate garden-lined rooms.
Explore art treasures and fascinating objects from Oceania, the Himalayas and the Arctic, as well as a rich treasure trove of Mediterranean antiquities and pre-Columbian ceramics.

Enter the Chapelle Sainte-Anne, a magical 13th-century site where a global melody resonates.
An exceptional collection of musical instruments from Asia, Africa, America and Oceania awaits you.

Explore three rooms dedicated to Orientalism and the arts of Iran.
They open onto the museum's courtyard and square medieval tower.
Climb the 109 steps and be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view.

Get ready for surprises! Throughout the year, the Orientalist rooms are transformed into stages for temporary exhibitions, highlighting the captivating variety of Cannes' collections.

Romanesque Chapel: Medieval Treasure of Suquet

Journey to the heart of history, and explore the Romanesque chapel that has stood the test of time.
Discover its role in the monastery of the Lérins monks and admire its exceptional Romanesque architecture, testimony to a fascinating medieval past.

Temporary exhibitions at the Museum

Every year, the MEM takes you on a captivating journey with a thematic temporary exhibition. Dive into new and intriguing worlds with every visit!

In a series of small rooms bordered by gardens, you'll discover collections ranging from Mediterranean archaeology (Egypt, Greece, Rome) to ethnology and primitive arts (Himalayas, Oceania, Americas, Asia). In addition, the 11th-century Chapelle Sainte-Anne houses an extraordinary collection of musical instruments from the four corners of the globe (Asia, Africa, America, Oceania).

Les Arts Premiers

Intriguing Exploration of Primitive Arts
Immerse yourself in a captivating ethnographic journey through different regions of the world.
From the Himalayas to Oceania, from the Arctic to pre-Columbian America, this dazzling collection reveals the wealth of cultures and artistic expressions that shape our world.

Himalaya-Tibet: Folk Art Revealed

Un Passage Vers l'Himalaya
Explore the unique collection of Himalayan-Tibetan folk art in France.
Discover treasures from "classical" and "tribal" cultures, from India to Tibet, and immerse yourself in an artistic world rich in inspiration.

Arctic Mystery: Inuit Discovery

Journey to the Heart of the Arctic
Take a leap into the mysterious Arctic with a fascinating selection of Inuit objects.
From everyday objects to magical sculptures, explore the creations of primitive populations from Canada, Alaska and Greenland.

Pre-Columbian Treasures: A Glimpse of Ancient America

Exploring Ancient America
Discover the pre-Columbian civilizations of Central and South America.
Through a collection of ceramics and stone sculptures, explore the stories and artifacts that shaped these ancient cultures.

Enchanted Oceania: Discovering the Pacific

Journey to the Pacific Seas
Immerse yourself in the age and rarity of Oceanic coins.
Explore the 124 exceptional objects collected during voyages to Tahiti and the Marquesas Islands.
This section will transport you to the mysteries and beauty of Oceania.

Journey through time: Mediterranean antiquities

Discovering Ancient History
Explore the lower room of the "Abbot's Tower", where Mediterranean antiquities come to life.
With almost 5,000 years of history, this collection will take you on a journey from Sumerian clay tablets to 4th-century Christian sarcophagi.

 

Orientalism and the Gates of the Orient

Three rooms devoted to Orientalism and the arts of Iran open onto the museum's courtyard and the 12th-century square medieval tower, from which, after climbing 109 steps, you can enjoy an admirable panorama.

Treasures of Iran: A Journey through Time

Exploring Ancient Iran
Discover the cradle of ancient civilizations through the museum's Iranian collection.
With over 7,000 years of history, immerse yourself in works from the Qajar period (1786-1925) and explore a heritage unique in France.

Lumières du Levant : A Look at the Orient

Exploring the Ancient Orient
Dive into the lights of the Levant and explore a crossroads of exchange between peoples.
Discover a collection rich in Phoenician, Greek and Roman influences, transporting you to a fascinating past.

Portes de l'Orient : The Charm of Exoticism

Voyage Vers l'Orient Magique
Discover the charm of the Orient through the eyes of Tinco Lycklama.
Explore the fascination of Orientalism and plunge into a past when the Côte d'Azur evoked exoticism and adventure.

Activities for young people aged 3 to 13

The museum offers year-round activities for children aged 3 to 13.
Workshops, guided tours and birthday parties are organized for a fun artistic experience in the company of our mediators.
Workshops are always available during school vacations: All Saints' Day, winter, spring and summer vacations. Consult the list of activities before each vacation period.

Rates
Full rate: € 8
Reduced rate (Cannois, Cannes Pass Culture, APC Aventura): € 6
Free: for accompanying children aged 3 to 5
For more information and reservations, contact : mediationmusees@ville-cannes.fr

 

Workshops for 3-5 year olds

During the vacations, the museum offers an activity for children aged 3 to 5, accompanied by their parents.
A brief visit to the museum to discover an art object, followed by a plastic arts workshop to express their creativity.

Schedule: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Workshops and Game Tours for 5- to 7-year-olds

During the vacations, workshops and game visits are offered for children aged 5 to 7.
They explore artistic techniques and the museum's collections through charcoal, gouache, modeling and visit games.

Schedule: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Workshops and Game Tours for 7- to 13-year-olds

Workshops and play tours are designed for children aged 7 to 13, to stimulate their creativity during the vacations.

Schedule: 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Activities for Adults

Visits Conferences

Guided tours are organized all year round for groups at the Museum of World Explorations.
Discover the site and collections with an expert guide.

Rates:
Less than 10 people: €57 + €6.50 per person
From 10 to 30 people: €5.50 per person
To book: mediationmusees@ville-cannes.fr.

Workshops for Adults

The Cannes Museum Service offers art workshops for adults all year round.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, explore different artistic techniques such as oil painting, watercolor, engraving and drawing.

Themes:

• Le carnet de voyage
• Sketches and study drawings
• Cannes, the postcard
• Nature, an artist's favorite motif

Calendar: Year-round, Tuesday to Saturday (excluding school vacations). By appointment only.
Duration: 2 hours Maximum group size: 10
Rates:
Standard rate: €24
Reduced rate* (Cannois, Cannes Pass Culture, APC Aventura): €17
To take part: mediationmusees@ville-cannes.fr.
*Proof of identity required.

Opening hours

The Museum of World Explorations is open all year round, except Mondays and public holidays;

October to March:
Mondays: Closed
Tuesday to Sunday: 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm
Closed: November 1st, November 11th, December 25th and January 1st

April to June:
Mondays: Closed
Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Closing day: May 1
Nocturne on Wednesdays until 9:00 pm in June
Please note: closes at 5:00 pm on Friday June 30, 2023.

July / August:
Monday to Sunday: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Nocturne Wednesdays until 9:00 pm

In September:
Mondays: Closed
Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Wednesday nocturne until 9:00 pm

Last Admission: Please note that last admission takes place 30 minutes before the museum closes.
Be sure to plan your visit accordingly to allow enough time to explore the wonders the museum has to offer.

Luggage information - Dogs

Luggage policy: To ensure the safety of all visitors, please note that bulky luggage is not permitted inside the museum. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

Animals: Pets are not allowed in museums.

Prices

Full Price: €6.50
Reduced Price : 3.50 € (upon presentation of proof of entitlement)

To book your tickets click here 

*For the following categories:
- People aged 18 to 25
- Groups of 10 adults or more
- Cannes Pass Culture holders
- APC Aventura card holders

Free admission: (upon presentation of proof of entitlement), for the following times and categories:
- The first Sunday of each month from November to March inclusive
- Under-18s
- Students
- Jobseekers
- Disabled persons and their accompanying adult
- Beneficiaries of the minimum old-age pension
- Centres aérés loisirs
- ICOM card holders
- War veterans
- Teachers accompanying their classes