It will take you on a voyage through time and in the footsteps of the greatest artists of the past and present.
Castles can be counted on the fingers of one hand in the Hauts-de-France region. Boulogne-sur-Mer has a wonderful specimen! Built in 1226 by Philippe Hurepel, the Count of Boulogne and son of King Philippe-Auguste, it was one of the strongest castles in the region. It has, of course, not survived the years without troubles and has been redesigned several times, but it still remains a beautiful example of our medieval history.
The famous of Boulonnais
A walk along the ramparts offers exceptional views over Boulogne-sur-Mer, but the inside of the castle is also worth a visit. So, let's take a look! This former Count's castle has been converted into a museum and houses magnificent works bequeathed by famous people from Boulonnais, such as the Egyptologist, Auguste Mariette, the knowledgeable collector, Alphonse Pinart, the archaeologist Camille Enlart and more recently Georges Mathieu, the master of Lyrical Abstraction.
A world tour of culture
You can travel back in time whilst admiring Greek pottery (450 items of superb quality), a stunning Egyptian collection including sarcophagi and a mummy, paintings signed by Corot, sculptures by Rodin and Alaskan masks all housed in the Gallo-Roman underground passages, the barber-surgeon’s hall and the guardroom. The Castle-Museum boasts a collection of Sugpiaq ceremonial masks that is unique in the world. They were brought here from Kodiak Island by Pinart in 1872.
A museum which is one of a kind
The museum is divided into four areas (Mediterranean archaeology, non-European ethnography, local history and Fine Art) and houses rich and varied collections from all continents and periods. It is a beautiful ode to culture and the exploration of the world around us. Alongside the display of permanent collections, the Castle-Museum hosts and organises various workshops and temporary exhibitions throughout the year. Not to be missed.
