Originally the family home of General Bertrand, this private mansion, classified in the inventory of Historical Monuments, is today a museum which impresses with the richness of its collections.
A family home
It was in the 1770s that Martin Bouchet, the King's First Engineer and Inspector General of France's Bridges and Roads, grandfather of the famous General Bertrand, built this private mansion which would become the Bertrand family home.
Museum Front by AnonymousMusée Bertrand
Its construction, which was completed in 1769, marks the height of Martin Bouchet's career at the service of King Louis XV in his role overseeing and maintaining the dike systems present in the region.
This mansion is built in a classical style demonstrating the typical characteristics of 18th century hotels.
Portrait of General Bertrand (1836) by Paul DELAROCHEMusée Bertrand
Upon his death, the mansion then passed into the hands of his wife, then of his daughter, Henriette Bouchet, in 1803, mother of Henri-Gatien Bertrand, who himself would become the owner in 1834 and establish his family there.
At the emperor's side, in Elba, he would for that matter write about this mansion: "It seems to me that no house is as worthy as my father's in Châteauroux."
General Bertrand (Between 1845 and 1846) by Carlo MAROCHETTI and ECK & DURANDMusée Bertrand
Ten years later, Bertrand would draw his last breath there.
The sculptor Charles Marochetti (1805-1867) would create a statue representing him, in his honor, which today still stands in the center of the museum courtyard.
From mansion to makeshift hospital
The mansion would remain the Bertrand family home until 1878, before becoming the private residence of several owners until 1901, the year in which it was finally sold to the City of Châteauroux by Raymond-William de Connick. It then housed a general commanding the 17th infantry division.
Hotel of the Division (C.1917) by E C COLLECTION CHATEAUROUXMusée Bertrand
Between 1917 and 1919, the mansion was once again a witness to history, becoming a military hospital for the wounded of the First World War.
The beginnings of the Museum
It was in 1921, on the occasion of the commemoration of the centenary of Napoleon's death, that the mansion finally housed for the first time the collections from the Municipal Museum of Châteauroux, and took the name of Musée-Hôtel Bertrand.
Museum Gallery (Before 1947) by Jules DORSANDMusée Bertrand
Because of its history, le Musée Bertrand today exhibits important collections from the First and Second Empires.
Nevertheless, it would be a shame to narrow its works down simply to bequests and donations from the Bertrand family.
Varied collections
If the first bequests and donations making up the museum's collections were initially works from the Bertrand family left to the City of Châteauroux, the collections soon became enhanced and diversified.
Bernard Naudin's Room (1950) by Jules DORSANDMusée Bertrand
Far from being just an imperial city, Châteauroux is also at the center of a territory rich in archaeology, and the birthplace of many artists and political figures.
Cartes postales du musée de ChâteaurouxMusée Bertrand
Today, le Musée Bertrand exhibits the fruits of the region's excavations, notably Gallo-Roman basements from the 1st and 2nd centuries, including a collection of ceramics and astonishing gravestones.
Museum Curiosity CabinetMusée Bertrand
Brought back from the voyages of colonists and soldiers, more exotic collections are today also part of the museum's holdings. They come from the five continents.
Ice Skating Scene (1856) by Andreas SCHELFHOUTMusée Bertrand
Among these collections, strong emphasis is given to many paintings from the Flemish and Dutch schools.
Museum Room (C. 1947) by G.G and son and BASUYAH & Cie HENRIMusée Bertrand
The museum also presents the works of local artists from the 19th to the 21st century: engravings, sculptures, etc.
Here, it is the old exhibition hall which housed the works of Ernest Nivet, a sculptor native to Levroux (Indre).
Sakuntala (1888) by Camille CLAUDELMusée Bertrand
Today, these works stand alongside an original plaster work from Camille Claudel, Sakountala, a gift from the artist.
A diverse museum
It is through a true thematic journey that the museum allows visitors to navigate all the historical periods of its collections, from antiquity to the present day. A place of Culture, the museum also offers artistic encounters such as reconstructions, workshops, musical and theatrical performances, etc.
Les inSolistes du Conservatoire - 18Musée Bertrand
In December 2020, in order to allow the public to enjoy a world of culture which had slowed down, the students from the Conservatoire de Châteauroux launched their new project "Les InSolistes du Conservatoire," allowing their musicians to play in the city's unique locations.
Here is one of these performances, which took place in the storeroom of le Musée Bertrand.
Valentin Tidère plays "Favela" by Noam Lederman.
Statue of General Bertrand, Sainte-Hélène place by AnonymousMusée Bertrand
Today, thanks to its status as an "Imperial City," the city of Châteauroux has seen the development of tourist events in its streets, including at le Musée Bertrand, which has become an unmissable stop for history lovers.
Musée Bertrand de Châteauroux.
Kevin Guillebaud
Candice Signoret
Photos : © Musée Bertrand