Musée Jean Gabin

The Musée Jean Gabin is a modest museum in the village of Mériel dedicated to the actor and his career in French cinema. The space displays photographs, posters, and personal belongings that document his journey from childhood to his rise as one of France's most respected film actors.

Jean Gabin spent his childhood in Mériel before launching a career that began in theater and became legendary in French cinema. The museum reopened in 2025 to trace how his early years in this village shaped his path as one of France's greatest actors.

Jean Gabin's childhood connection to Mériel shaped his life and is reflected throughout the museum's displays and personal objects. The exhibits show how this small village influenced him as a person, revealing the man beyond his film roles and his lasting attachment to the region.

The museum is accessible by train or car, with the Mériel train station just a short walk away and convenient connections to Paris. It is generally open in the afternoons during weekdays and Saturdays, so checking hours in advance and booking group visits ahead of time helps ensure a smooth visit.

As a child, Jean Gabin loved fishing along the Oise river in Mériel, an activity that left a lasting impression on him throughout his life. This quieter side of his personality is reflected in stories shared at the museum and reveals how nature shaped his character beyond his film work.