National Gendarmerie Museum, Military museum in Melun, France
The National Gendarmerie Museum in Melun is a military institution dedicated to the history of French law enforcement. Its exhibition spans multiple levels and displays thousands of objects including uniforms, weapons, vehicles, and documents that chronicle different periods of gendarmerie operations.
The institution was established in 1946 to document gendarmerie history and underwent a complete renovation between 2007 and 2015. This major refurbishment allowed the collections to be presented using modern display techniques and updated facilities.
The collection reflects how French law enforcement has evolved through everyday objects that officers once used in their work. Visitors can observe the progression of uniforms, tools, and methods across different periods.
The permanent display occupies the first two floors of the building at 1-3 Rue Émile-Leclerc, next to the Gendarmerie officer school, and is reached by stairs, so plan for two levels rather than a single circuit. Allow time for the 1,200 m² of permanent exhibits plus the 200 m² temporary exhibition space.
The permanent display is built around a large suspended glass case rising through the first two floors. Inside it hang 44 gendarme silhouettes, 13 horses, a motorcycle and a bicycle, tracing the corps from the Middle Ages to today. Look up from the ground floor to see the whole procession at once.
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