What are the opening hours for The Open Air Museum?

Contact The Open Air Museum directly for current opening hours and admission information.

How do I get to The Open Air Museum?

The Open Air Museum is located at Musée de Plein Air, 143, Rue Colbert, Ascq, Villeneuve-d'Ascq, Lille, Nord, Hauts-de-France, France métropolitaine, 59650, France. You can find it at 143 Rue Colbert in Villeneuve-d'Ascq. Check their website for seasonal opening times and special events, as some artisans and demonstrations are only there on certain days.

The Open Air Museum

Name: The Open Air Museum
Address: 143 Rue Colbert, 59493 Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France, Villeneuve-d'Ascq, 59650, France
Telephone: +33 3 20 63 11 25
Rating: 4.5

★★★★★ 4.5/5 (51,929 reviews) Excellent

About This Museum

Tucked away in the leafy suburbs of Villeneuve-d'Ascq, this isn't your typical quiet museum. The air hums with the scent of woodsmoke and the sound of a blacksmith's hammer ringing against anvil. You'll find a whole village brought to life here, with costumed artisans like weavers and bakers practicing their trades in centuries-old farmhouses and workshops relocated from across the region. It’s a place where history feels less like a lesson and more like a lively, tangible experience.

Collection Highlights

A functioning 18th-century farm complete with livestock, a schoolhouse from the 1860s, and a forge where the blacksmith demonstrates traditional techniques. Don't miss the chance to buy bread still warm from the brick oven.

Visitor Information

You can find it at 143 Rue Colbert in Villeneuve-d'Ascq. Check their website for seasonal opening times and special events, as some artisans and demonstrations are only there on certain days.

Architecture & Building

The buildings are authentic Northern French rural structures—think long, low farmhouses made of brick and timber, topped with steeply pitched roofs of slate or tile.