The Musée d’art et d’histoire de Neuchâtel presents « L’Antiquité au service de l’Empire » until Sunday 31 January 2027. This focus exhibition shows how Napoleon used medals for his communication.
The story
Between 1799 and 1815, Napoleon’s regime had medals struck at the Monnaie des Médailles in Paris. The Neuchâtel engraver Jean-Pierre Droz (1746-1823) was among the engravers.
These medals use ancient imagery. The Empire presents itself as a new Rome, and Napoleon as the heir of the Caesars.
Who organises it
The exhibition is presented by the Musée d’art et d’histoire de Neuchâtel (MahN). It was created with ancient history students from the University of Lausanne.
What to find
Set up in the Ruckers harpsichord room, it places these medals alongside ancient coins from the museum. Visitors can see a wax model of a bust of Napoleon by Droz and medals by Andrieu.
Guided tours on 14 Nov. and 12 Dec. 2026, 2 pm, and 19 Jan. 2027, 12.15 pm. Workshop « Les apprenties monnayeureuses » on 2 Dec., 2 pm. Children’s workshop on 13 Jan. 2027, 2 pm.
The room is closed on 17 Nov. from 11 am to 5.30 pm, on 18 Nov. from 11 am to 12 noon, and on 10 and 11 Dec.
Practical information
- Dates, 17 September 2026 to Sunday 31 January 2027
- Opening hours, Tuesday to Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm; closed on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January
- Venue, Musée d’art et d’histoire de Neuchâtel, Esplanade Léopold-Robert 1, 2000 Neuchâtel
- Price, museum admission CHF 12, residents CHF 8, reduced rate CHF 4; free for everyone on Wednesdays
- Age, free up to age 16
Links
- Official site, MahN, L’Antiquité au service de l’Empire
- All events across French-speaking Switzerland, Genève Infos Agenda
Sources
- MahN, L’Antiquité au service de l’Empire, accessed 13 November 2026
- MahN, Exhibitions, accessed 13 November 2026
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