The Maurice Dufresne Museum – Retro-Mechanical Museum
Around 50 minutes from Amboise, set off on a discovery in a timeless museum. The Maurice Dufresne Museum will amaze both young and old.
Maurice Dufresne spent most of life collection unique, unexpected or rare pieces. Dating from the industrial revolution to the glorious thirties, he chose to exhibit them in this unique museum.
Maurice Dufresne, from farrier to great collector
Born into a family of farmers, Maurice trained with the Compagnons du Devoir as a farrier, travelling across France with this trade. It was on one of these journeys that he met his wife Jeannine. For four years, he ran a farriery, though he felt that the era of the horse was soon coming to an end. He then began to make tractor trailers. Following this, he launched a new business recovering metals.
Bearing witness to this technological progress, he hoped to preserve the mechanical heritage of the 1850s to 1950 for future generations. He travelled the world in search of the very rarest pieces. Finally, he opened his museum at the Marnay Mill in 1992, following many years of restoration.
A stubborn man, Maurice Dufresne clung to his dream until his death in 2008. Since then, his daughter Monique has continued in his work, perpetuating the family business.
An impressive collection
For 30 years, the museum has been progressively enriched with an impressive collection of other 3,000 varied objects. The tour is dotted with anecdotes and memories that breath life into these machines brought back from another time. Children will be delighted to take on the treasure-hunt booklet available at reception.
Some of the most remarkable pieces on display include the former gates of the Château de Chambord, welcoming you at the entrance; the M8 cannon ubusier which took part in the Normandy D-Day Landings and appeared in the film ‘The Longest Day’; or even the Peugeot electric vehicles created to face up to fuel shortages during the Second World War. Car enthusiasts are sure to be impressed with a rare collection, ranging from Christian Pean’s 1970 Formula Libre CP2 single-seater to the incredible early 20th-century Buicks, or even the 1909 GMC truck. Meanwhile, Bourvil and De Funès fans will recognise the two-seater glider from the famous French film ‘La Grande Vadrouille’. Foodies will appreciate the many elements taken from the Poulain de Blois chocolate factory, as well as the sweets factory, sure to take you right back to your childhood.
New in 2022: a whole floor is dedicated to an exhibition retracing the war of 1870 in Touraine. Weapons, parts of uniforms and various objects offer a dive into a little-known event which has nonetheless left its mark on Val de Loire.
A relaxing and inspiring setting
The museum is located on the Marnay Mill site, a 17th-century wheat and tanning mill which has since served as a paper mill, cannery and sweets factory. It took Maurice and his team 9 years to renovate the building. The Mill has been restored, offering you the chance to discover it in action within the museum. Between the noise of the impressive mechanism, the lapping of the water or the inherent scents of this old machine, all your senses will be awakened.
At the end of the tour, take the time to enjoy a peaceful walk along the Indre, within a vast shaded park. You can also enjoy the family-friendly bar and restaurant, with a playground for little ones.
Special activities
To celebrate European Mills Day on 21 and 22 May, the museum organises a guided tour of the Marnay Mill. And for Mother’s Day, you can enjoy a meal accompanied by live music, as well as a treasure hunt.
