Do you know this flamboyant museum? Half an hour from Paris, in Melun, the National Gendarmerie Museum welcomes us in this completely renovated former barracks, displaying a huge flaming grenade as an entrance to the gendarmerie den. A resolutely modern, original and interactive approach which will allow us, whether we are beginners, curious or specialists... to unravel the mysteries of one of the oldest institutions in France, whose ancestor is none other than the constabulary, born in the Middle Ages, at the start of the 100 Years' War, to preserve order and discipline within the king's armies. Here we are going to go back in time during a resolutely immersive tour which extends over nearly 1200m², organized around the largest suspended display window in Europe, a true technical feat measuring 18 meters long, which highlights all the evolution of the national gendarmerie over the centuries. From the 30,000 pieces in the collection, the museum has selected 2000 unusual and exceptional objects to highlight the highlights and missions of this unique army corps in the world. Sealed investigations, embellished with documents and other nuggets of history are presented to us here, as with these pieces resulting from the arrest of the Bonnot gang or the Dominici affair which ignited the media in 1952, including this door riddled with bullets by the Kouachi brothers in 2015. Each piece carries a story like this incredible revolver, engraved with 226 names, decorated on its butt with 43 portraits, a true Mona Lisa of the museum of inestimable value. Wherever we look, we discover a story, an anecdote, like these thumbs, ancestors of the handcuffs which captured prisoners by the thumbs, or this canteen barrel which was used to supply the valiant gendarmes, or this ceremonial sword at the pommel in the shape of a lantern which belonged to Marshal Moncey, first inspector general of the national gendarmerie appointed by Bonaparte in 1801. A dive into history lulled by sound ambiances linked to each era, which takes us to cutting-edge techniques today, through the nods to our popular culture, from the gendarme of Saint-Tropez to the endearing Gendarme de Guignol, nothing is forgotten. We embark in a universe that we thought we knew, and of which we discover a fascinating heritage and historical wealth, committed men and women who work with their time to protect citizens and introduce us to their thrilling profession in a resolutely lively museum.

Whether you are a novice, curious or a specialist... Unravel the mysteries of one of the oldest institutions in France. Drawing its origins from the Middle Ages, the history of the gendarmerie is also revealed in all its modernity through a unique and immersive journey within the National Gendarmerie Museum in Melun, located less than half an hour away. from Paris. Your tour begins upon arrival at the museum square with the elegant facade of the building on which its historic emblem appears in relief. Enter the building to admire the largest suspended gallery in Europe. Over nearly 1200m2, its history, closely linked to the greatest events in the history of France, unfolds before you through the illustrious jewels of its collection. More than 2000 unusual and exceptional objects, in the light of which highlights and missions are exposed to offer you a new discovery of this army corps. From the arrest of the Bonnot gang to the Dominici affair which ignited the media in 1952, including the heroic action of the dog Gamin in Algeria, relive the biggest cases which have marked the history of the gendarmerie, as well as so many other fascinating anecdotes! Imagined and designed for everyone, the multimedia journey punctuated with soundscapes and nods to popular culture, immerses you in a unique interactive experience! Beyond the visit, workshops as well as other highlights such as temporary exhibitions on historical or current themes, punctuate the life of the museum. Thus, young and old will be embarked for their greatest pleasure in the heart of this institution rich in memories. Surely enough to awaken a vocation?

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