Musée Fragonard d'Alfort

Step into the fascinating world of veterinary science and anatomical wonders at the Musée Fragonard d'Alfort, located in Maisons-Alfort, France. Officially known in French as the Musée Fragonard de l'École vétérinaire de Maisons-Alfort, this unique museum is housed within the prestigious National Veterinary School of Alfort. The museum is a tribute to the renowned anatomist Honoré Fragonard and offers an extraordinary glimpse into the history and science of veterinary medicine.

A Historical Treasure Trove

The Musée Fragonard d'Alfort's origins date back to 1766, the same year the National Veterinary School of Alfort was established. This institution holds the distinction of being the world's second veterinary school, following the one in Lyon founded by Claude Bourgelat. The museum was initially known as the Cabinet du Roy, created to serve both educational and public curiosity purposes. From its inception, it collected anatomical preparations to educate veterinary students and also amassed extraordinary specimens to captivate the public, aligning with the 18th-century trend of cabinets of curiosities.

Throughout the years, the museum underwent several transformations. The original collection, consisting primarily of animal and some human remains, was moved in 1828 and renamed the cabinet des collections. By 1882, the collection had grown so extensive that it was reorganized into a third museum, structured explicitly for educational purposes. The current museum building was completed in 1901 and opened in 1902, with the anatomical pieces taking their place in 1903.

Exploring the Museum's Four Halls

The Musée Fragonard d'Alfort is divided into four distinct halls, each offering a unique perspective on veterinary science and anatomy.

The first hall is dedicated to comparative anatomy. Here, you will find displays typical of the late 19th century, with each showcase focusing on a specific organ or anatomical system across different domestic species. This hall also features an intriguing collection of animal anomalies, not to create a gallery of horrors, but to prepare veterinarians for the challenges they might face in obstetrics and other fields.

The second hall boasts an impressive collection of skeletons, including a magnificent bust of a thoroughbred horse from 1828 by Jacques-Nicolas Brunot and anatomical models by Louis Auzoux. The tall display cases along the walls are filled with jawbones used to teach students how to determine an animal's age by dental wear, as well as a showcase dedicated to dental lesions.

The third hall focuses on pathology, particularly from the early 20th century. It features striking examples of bone lesions that tell the stories of the hardships endured by working horses and cattle. One display case houses hundreds of calculi, primarily from the digestive tracts of large animals. Wax models remind us that many animal diseases are transmissible to humans, with tuberculosis being a prominent example.

The fourth and final hall is the museum's cabinet of curiosities, a direct descendant of the Enlightenment era. This hall contains Honoré Fragonard's famous Écorchés (flayed figures) from 1766 to 1771. The most renowned pieces include The Man with the Mandible, the Group of Human Fetuses Dancing the Jig, and the iconic Cavalier of the Apocalypse. These flayed figures are mummified, with arteries and veins injected with colored sheep tallow and then painted. The bodies were also varnished with larch resin to protect them from insect larvae.

The Museum Today

Since its public reopening in 1991, the Musée Fragonard d'Alfort has showcased over 4,200 pieces within a beautifully restored setting. The restoration in 2007 and 2008 aimed to return the museum to its former glory, with new windows, repainted walls in the warm colors of 1902, and restored ceiling decorations. The museum is a testament to the grandeur of early 20th-century educational institutions and has earned the title of Musée de France in 2006, making it the only university collection to join this prestigious group without a territorial collectivity.

Plan Your Visit

The Musée Fragonard d'Alfort is open to the public on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 2 PM to 6 PM. It attracts nearly 10,000 visitors annually, including a significant number of international guests. Whether you're a history buff, a science enthusiast, or simply curious about the wonders of veterinary medicine, the Musée Fragonard d'Alfort offers a unique and unforgettable experience.

In conclusion, the Musée Fragonard d'Alfort is not just a museum; it's a journey through the history of veterinary science and anatomical exploration. Its halls echo with the stories of past scholars and the marvels of the natural world, making it a must-visit destination for anyone with a fascination for the extraordinary.