Museum of French Fire Brigade

From 1977, seeing a certain number of machines doomed to certain destruction, a few enthusiasts decided to save this equipment. Little by little a collection took shape.

The trigger came especially during the reform of the 30 m Delahaye ladder of 1939 which we had to scrape after a long and busy career. This solution could not be envisaged for a single moment by lovers of old machines. From this time everything will be done to find a place of welcome to create a museum.

A fabulous opportunity presented itself in 1990, Mr. André Martin, mayor of Montville and vice-president of the general council, offered to host the future museum in his town. Once the decision was made, an architect competition was launched.

The selected project integrates the constraints of the collections. In particular, the situation of heavy and bulky vehicles. Its surface area exceeds 2500 M². More than 6,000 objects are presented in a contemporary setting where each piece is explained by a short text, allowing the visitor to take a free journey at their own pace.

The Museum was inaugurated on Saturday, May 29, 1993. On this occasion, it will receive the “musée de France” label. Since then, 10,000 people have visited it each year. A shop allows you to get a small souvenir. A special feature: It is possible for children to touch a few objects and take a photo with a firefighter’s helmet!

The objects, documents, toys, hand pumps and fire engines brought together allow you to discover all facets of the corporation, without forgetting the builders and industrialists to involve all those who contribute to the history of rescue and fire equipment. More than three centuries of history of firefighters are gathered in this place.

Some objects are very rare, sometimes unique, and of great historical and artistic interest.