In Seine-et-Marne, this museum is housed within a historic building that used to be a public bathhouse.

At first glance, the building doesn't look like a typical museum. Nestled right in the heart of Fontenay-Trésigny, this small stone structure topped with a water-tower-style bell tower was once home to public baths and showers. Built in 1911 to improve sanitation in the town, it served as a service point for residents who didn’t yet have running water at home. Today, the individual cabins have disappeared, replaced by a space dedicated to local history. We introduce you to the Hippolyte Henry Museum, which has been located here since 2017.

At the turn of the 20th century, public health and hygiene became pressing concerns in many towns and villages. In Fontenay-Trésigny, it was then-mayor Hippolyte Henry who took the initiative to build this facility, making it affordable for everyone to take a shower. Three days a week, residents would come here to wash themselves, do their laundry, and sometimes catch up on local news. The building is practical, sturdy, and unpretentious. It served the community throughout the century but closed its doors once most households were equipped with private bathrooms.

For a time, the historic baths housed a library. Later, the idea of transforming the site into a museum took hold locally, championed by the Fontenaysian Historical Society. Since then, it has become a space dedicated to everyday memory. The building has retained much of its original layout, lending it a unique charm—somewhere between a public building of the past and a contemporary exhibition space. The museum has also been awarded the Regional Heritage of Interest label by the Île-de-France Region.

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The self-guided tour is designed to be straightforward and welcoming. It features objects collected from the local area and surrounding communities, offering a glimpse into life in Val Briard from the 19th century through the 1950s. This is not a static exhibition: the objects are arranged in thematic displays that evoke a classroom, a kitchen, a workshop, or a child's bedroom. The presentation is simple and accessible, created so that everyone—whether history enthusiast or casual visitor—can connect with it easily.

The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and special events, especially during Heritage Days. It’s not just a place to pass through; it’s a space designed for the community, where memories are collected through donations, stories, and discoveries over time.

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