Set on the banks of the Allier River, Moulins is the historic capital of Bourbonnais and was named after the mills that once dotted the area. It’s home to a magnificent Gothic-Revival cathedral and several fine museums that explore the city’s links to royalty, art and culture.
Things to do in Moulins
One of the most popular attractions in Moulins is the National Centre of Costume and Scenography, which showcases stage costumes and sets from ballets, operas and theatre productions. It boasts an impressive collection of costumes worn by the Soviet-born ballet dancer, Rudolf Nureyev, as well as sets from the Paris Opera and Comédie-Française.
Another museum not to miss is dedicated to Anne de Beaujeu, who was one of the most powerful women in 15th-century Europe. It occupies the 16th-century pavilion of a former Dukes of Bourbon castle and houses everything from Ancient Egyptian artefacts to Middle Ages paintings. A highlight is the Migout Herbarium, where plants collected by the French novelist George Sand are on display.
Adjacent to the Museum Anne de Beaujeu stands the Maison Mantin, a 19th-century residence that was commissioned by Louis Mantin to showcase his collection of art and antiques. In addition to its Eclecticist architecture, the house was equipped with all of the technological innovations of the period. Wander through the period-furnished rooms where ceramics, paintings and stuffed animals are on display, then marvel at the stained glass windows in the bathroom.
Getting around Moulins
Moulins is around 2.5 hours’ drive from Lyon and just under three hours from Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Trains connect from Paris to the Gare de Moulins Sur Allier and buses travel throughout the town. The centre of Moulins can easily be explored on foot.