The museum holds one of the most significant collections of Alaskan ethnographic objects in France.
The castle foundations are built directly onto the site of a Roman castrum, evidence of which is visible in the lower levels.
The museum’s Egyptian collection contains over 200 objects, including a well-preserved mummy and sarcophagus.
The fortress was constructed starting in 1231 by Philippe Hurepel, son of King Philippe Auguste.
The castle underwent a significant transformation in the 17th century when it was repurposed as a barracks.
The site houses a collection of maritime paintings reflecting the city's long-standing connection to the fishing industry.
The Boulogne-sur-Mer Castle-Museum is housed within a 13th-century medieval fortress situated at the corner of the town's fortified Upper Town. It serves as a multidisciplinary museum featuring diverse collections including Egyptian antiquities, Greek ceramics, and regional ethnography. The structure itself is a polygonal fortification with nine towers and a dry moat, which was originally built by Count Philippe Hurepel. The interior galleries are organized within the former residential buildings of the Counts of Boulogne. Notable displays include wood carvings from the Boulonnais region and contemporary art exhibitions. The site is part of the ramparts circuit that encircles the historic center of Boulogne-sur-Mer.
The view of the inner courtyard and the main tower looking upward from the central garden area.
Combine your visit with a walk along the top of the adjacent medieval ramparts for panoramic views of the town.
Check the museum's temporary exhibition schedule online before arriving, as these change quarterly.
The museum is spread across several levels; wear comfortable footwear for navigating stone staircases.
Do not attempt to park a vehicle inside the Upper Town ramparts, as streets are extremely narrow and reserved for residents.
Closed on Tuesdays.
