The House Of Alexandra David-neel: A Visit With A Difference In Digne
Did you know that the greatest explorer of the 20th century is a woman? The great traveler and writer Alexandra David-Neel settled in Digne-les-Bains in 1928. Her house has now become a museum that houses the testimonies of her numerous trips to the Orient.
An air of Tibet in Digne-les-Bains
It was in 1928 that the great traveler and orientalist Alexandra David-Neel settled in Digne-les-Bains in the Alpes de Haute-Provence.
From her numerous trips to the Orient, she brought back stories and objects that can be discovered in her house, now transformed into a museum.
This villa, which the explorer had named Samten Dzong (the residence of reflection), has recently been restored.
Visitors can therefore visit the villa where the writer resided, its gardens but also a museum that traces her life, her commitments and her travels.
This tireless traveler was the first European woman to enter the Forbidden City of Lhasa, in Tibet, in 1924.
A moving and exotic visit
Thanks to the recent restoration of the premises, visitors can discover Alexandra David-Neel's villa in its original state.
After crossing the gardens where Alexandra and her adopted son had created a vegetable garden to ensure their food autonomy, one enters the museum.
The 4 exhibition rooms trace, through documents, photos and objects, the major stages of her life and travels.
You can discover the exceptional destiny of this explorer and feminist before her time, before visiting her villa (by reservation only).
This Tibetan-inspired villa has been listed as a historical monument since 1996. It is part of the 110 'French Illustrious Houses' since 2011 and of the Federation of Writers' Houses and Literary Heritage since 2007.
This place full of memories is where Alexandra David Neel wrote a large part of her work. This part of the visit, commented by a guide, is more personal as it is consecrated to Alexandra's writing work and the last years of her life in Digne-les-Bains.
The visit ends in a particularly moving way with the discovery of the room where the explorer ended her life, at the age of 100.
Practical information
Address
House of Alexandra David-Neel
27, avenue du Maréchal Juin
04000 Digne-les-Bains
Contact
Tel : 04 92 31 32 38
Hours
The house is open from Tuesday to Sunday.
It is closed on Mondays but also on all public holidays from October 1 to May 15 and during the week between Christmas and New Year's Day.
- From April 1st to November 30th: from 10am to 6pm
- From December 1st to March 31st : from 2pm to 5pm
The villa can be discovered on a guided tour only by telephone reservation. A visit is offered every hour from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm in high season and from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm in low season.
Prices
- Full visit (museum + garden + villa): 8 €.
- Museum and garden visit: 6 €
- Guided tour villa only: 6 €
Reduced rate (with the Museums passport) : 4 €
Free for children under 12, students, the press, museum professionals and for all on the first Sunday of the month.
Note: reduced and free rates apply only to the museum entrance. No free admission for the guided tour of the villa.
A store in the city center
The Maison Alexandra David-Neel has a rather small store in the reception building.
If you want to buy books or objects that recall the travels of this great explorer, we advise you to go to the Espace Alexandra David-Neel located downtown at 5 boulevard Thiers.
This Tibetan store is run by the Alexandra David Neel Association.
It is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 12:30pm and from 2:30pm to 7pm.
