The Musée d'Estavayer-le-Lac et ses grenouilles is a place of history, art and taxidermy curiosities. 

Housed in the former residence of Humbert the Bastard of Savoy, this century-old institution is home to a collection of taxidermied frogs unlike any other in the world. Arranged in human poses, these amphibians humorously depict scenes from 19th-century everyday, bourgeois and military life. Visitors encounter frogs serving as soldiers, attending school, visiting the barber, playing billiards, and even participating in an electoral banquet. 

The fascination of François Perrier's frogs (1813–1860) is complemented by a dynamic cultural programme featuring three temporary exhibitions each year, creating a dialogue between heritage and contemporary artistic creation.

The Frogs

The collection of frogs in natural form dating from the mid-19th century is so fascinating that it gave rise to the nickname "Frog Museum". The amphibians are playfully posed in scenes representing humans in their daily activities. Surrounded by miniature furniture, they reflect the society of the time with a touch of humour. The rarity and quality of the work as well as its astounding preservation make this collection so precious.

The Collections

The collections are essentially local and regional and date from prehistoric times to the modern day. The great events which changed the course of the small town’s history are represented by the collection of weapons and archaeology. The display of objects of everyday life and handicrafts remind us of the hard physical work carried out in the past. Domestic utensils are exhibited in an ancient kitchen located next to a room which displays agricultural tools, keys, locks and a large number of stuffed birds.

The Museum, a Curiosity?

The manner of display is from another period. Although the rooms are organized according to themes, the juxtaposition of various objects is as surprising as is the abundance of exhibits. These elements date back to the creation of the Museum in 1927 and its expansion in 1941. With its preservation in its almost original state, the Museum offers us a second key to reading the development of our attitudes and mindset. In this sense, the Museum is a curiosity.

The Building

The building itself is the Museum's primary presentation object. Purchased in 1406 by Humbert the Bastard, lord of Estavayer and half-brother of Amédée VIII, Count of Savoy, the house served as his dwelling until his death in 1443. The facade towards the street, with its two triple blind windows on the upper floor, is especially noteworthy and has remained almost unchanged since 1408.

Humbert’s residence had courtyards at the rear that were accessible through the passageway under the Museum, now called Ruelle de la Fausse-Porte. At that time, there used to be vegetable gardens there, now converted into a public garden with a small playground.

Before it was transformed into a museum and opened to the public in 1927, the house was used as a school, a granary and tithing house, to name a few of its previous functions. Despite the many different uses over the centuries, the house still maintains its original structure.