Musee National de l'Education (National Museum of Education), Rouen

The National Museum of Education, located in the heart of Rouen, offers a unique glimpse into the history of education from the 16th century to the present. Established in 1879 by Jules Ferry, the museum boasts the largest collection of educational heritage in Europe, with over 950,000 items and documents.

The collection is split across two sites: the museum itself, housed in a stunning 15th-century half-timbered building known as the Maison des Quatre Fils Aymon, situated in the historical center of Rouen, and a resource center in Bihorel, just outside Rouen, which includes a vast archive, a photo library, and a study room open to all.

Recognized as the leading site for educational heritage in Europe, the museum invites visitors to step into a reconstructed classroom from the Jules Ferry era, where you can sit at old school benches and touch porcelain inkwells set in polished desks. It's a space where personal memories blend with historical education narratives, showcasing a diverse array of photographs, teaching materials, students' and teachers' work, school furniture, educational toys, and even original documents from famous figures. The museum’s vast collection is cleverly displayed to engage both children and adults.

The exhibits also feature unusual items like a curious iron model used for experiments on lightning and lightning rods. On the ground floor, a thematic exhibition is refreshed every three months, exploring everything from the iconic class photo to the story of Robinson Crusoe, spanning from Defoe's book to the TV series Lost, and delving into the irresistible heritage of childhood songs.