Musée de la Gendarmerie

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The history of the Gendarmerie is inextricably linked to the history of France

Faced with an ever-growing collection and an increasing need for space, the Musée de la Gendarmerie Nationale was forced to extend and modernize. It is now housed in a refurbished building of the École des Officiers de la Gendarmerie Nationale. The history of the Gendarmerie is inextricably linked to the history of France and its multiple changes. This comparison runs through the museum visit, ending with the missions and special units of the Gendarmerie today. The permanent exhibition presents a chronological history of the Gendarmerie Nationale and its close relationship with the history of France through a very diverse collection of 2,000 objects (documents, weapons, uniforms, headgear, figurines, paintings, insignia, decorations, pennants, copperware, ceramics, popular arts, etc.) displayed in an area of over 1200m².

The largest suspended display case in Europe, a technical achievement 8.50m high, 2m wide and 18m long, features 44 models showing the history of the gendarme’s uniform and equipment.

From 1339 to the present day, the Gendarmerie Nationale has undergone countless changes. It has unceasingly adapted itself to become a modern, high-performance service. Through the wealth and diversity of its collection, the museum traces the history of the institution in a precise and comprehensive manner over 4 phases.

Four phases in the history of the Gendarmerie

La gendarmerie à cheval — Between 1339 and 1789, for over 400 years, the name « Gendarmerie Nationale » did not exist but its duties gradually took shape, including the first and principal one of provostship, to curb excessive behaviour by fighting men, the equivalent of military police.

Over time, gendarmes were given new competences and responsibilities (powers of jurisdiction, of policing, etc.) which turned it into a nationwide community police force.

From 1791 to 1870, from the 1st Republic to the 2nd Empire, the Gendarmerie was marked by many changes in both its missions and its organisation. A force at the service of the government in power, it became specialised and internationalised. This period was one of great difficulties for the Gendarmerie who suffered from a bad image each time there was a change of government.

From 1870 to 1945, the Gendarmerie Nationale was severely troubled by successive wars. Involved in the war at different levels (provostship, maintaining order, combat, armed force serving the government in power, etc.), its role was often badly perceived. The Second World War perfectly illustrates the difficult position of the Gendarmerie between obedience and resistance.

From 1945 to the present day, the Gendarmerie is divided into 2 large sub-divisions : Gendarmerie Départementale (traffic police, criminal police, emergency services for people and property, general surveillance) and the Gendarmerie Mobile (maintaining public order). It has undergone numerous changes : reorganisation, specialisation and modernisation. Its major tasks are : criminal police, road safety, homeland security and the maintaining of order, military police.

In order to fulfil its different tasks in the best way possible, the Gendarmerie has several specialised forces : the Garde Républicaine, Gendarmerie Maritime, Gendarmerie de l'Air, Gendarmerie des Transports Aériens, Gendarmerie de l'Armement and GIGN (special forces intervention squad). Specialised units have also been developed to meet specific needs : mountain/high mountain platoons, river units, motorcycle squads, dog-handling section, etc.

Many exhibitions are presented to the public every year, e.g. criminal science, Gendarmeries around the world, first-hand accounts of the Great War, etc.

A few kilometres from Melun, don’t miss the Domaine des Macarons de Réau, a 300m² space totally dedicated to this delicious, soft, round biscuit featuring a shop, a tea room, demonstrations on how to make macarons.

Musée de la Gendarmerie opening times

Open every day except Tuesdays

1 October – 31 March : 10.00 – 17.30.

1 April - 30 September : 10.00 – 18.00.

Closed 1 January, 1 May, 1 November, 25 December.

Explore Seine-et-Marne with Gites de France Seine-et-Marne : Château de Blandy-Les-Tours, Disneyland Paris, Forêt de Fontainebleau, medieval town of Provins.