Musée de la Serrure

The Musée de la Serrure is a collection of locks, keys, and door knockers housed in the Hôtel Libéral Bruant, a 17th-century building at 1 rue de la Perle in the 3rd arrondissement. The structure features decorative rondels and cornucopia motifs that represent the craftsmanship standards of its period.

The museum was established in 1976 by the Bricard Company and showcased security devices spanning from Roman times to the modern era. The collection included bronze and Gallo-Roman iron keys along with medieval knockers and locks from the 16th to 19th centuries before closing in 2003.

The collection includes bronze and Gallo-Roman iron keys, medieval knockers, and locks from the 16th to 19th centuries, reflecting the evolution of security craftsmanship.

The museum ceased operations in 2003, but visitors can still view the exterior of the Hôtel Libéral Bruant and its decorative architectural details from the street. Its location on rue de la Perle in the heart of the Marais district makes it easy to visit as part of a walk through this historic neighborhood.

The collection included a mechanism designed to injure any intruder attempting to open it with an incorrect key. It also displayed a remarkable metalwork piece that a locksmith created over four years while confined.

Location: Paris

Inception: 1976

Official opening: 1976

GPS coordinates: 48.85910,2.36190

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:08