National Gendarmerie Museum

In Melun, the MGN was housed in a former barracks building that had been completely renovated. It opened its doors on October 10, 2015 and was inaugurated by the Minister of the Interior on December 17 of the same year.

A quality setting
Marked by modern architecture, the MGN displays a huge flaming grenade over 5 meters high forming the entrance to this museum of France and reveals many other treasures inside.
Its resolutely immersive route extends over nearly 1,200m2 and is organized around the largest suspended display case in Europe, a true technical feat of 18 meters long and 8.5 meters high, which highlights the history of the gendarmerie throughout the history of France.

A unique collection
Of the 30,000 pieces in the collection, the museum has selected 2,000 unusual and exceptional objects to illustrate the highlights and missions of this unique army corps. Investigation seals, carnival masks, canteen barrels, bicycles, watercolors and many other unexpected objects sit alongside uniforms, weapons and headdresses in the museum's display cases to immerse the visitor in the history of an institution that has its origins in the Middle Ages and today reveals all its modernity.

The history of France through the history of the gendarmerie
Both chronological and thematic, the museum's tour traces the evolution of the gendarmerie through the eras and successive regimes, from the Middle Ages to the present day. The richness of the collection allows the history of this institution to be contextualized within the history of France, without forgetting to evoke all its modernity and its openness to the international. Many original pieces immerse the visitor in the great affairs of the history of France such as the arrest of the Bonnot gang, the Dominici affair, the heroic action of the dog Gamin and many other adventures.

A museum for young and old
Multimedia and sound ambiances lead visitors to the heart of an interactive, fun, unique and adapted experience, accessible to all.

The MGN also includes:
- a 70m2 shop offering books and souvenirs
- a documentary resource centre accessible by appointment
- a photo library of over 10,000 photos available by appointment
- a 60-seat conference room
- a cultural events room
- a 200m2 temporary exhibition room