musée

A musée is a permanent institution that collects, conserves, researches, and exhibits objects of artistic, cultural, historical, or scientific significance for public education and enjoyment. Museums may be housed in dedicated buildings or repurposed spaces and typically provide interpretive materials, programs, and access to collections through displays, catalogs, and online resources.

The term musée derives from French, ultimately from Latin musea and the Greek mousion meaning a place of the Muses. In many languages the corresponding term traces back to that same root, reflecting the historical role of museums as repositories of knowledge and inspiration.

Museums perform acquisition, preservation, documentation, and research, with curators and conservators managing collections and provenance. They rely on a mix of public funding, private donations, sponsorship, and membership. Many institutions pursue accreditation and professional standards to ensure accessibility, ethical stewardship, and ongoing conservation.

Museums vary in scope and focus, including art, history, science, ethnography, and specialized institutions. They organize permanent galleries and temporary exhibitions, offer educational programs, and provide digital access via online catalogs, virtual tours, and 3D models to reach broader audiences and support researchers.

Public museums emerged prominently in the 18th and 19th centuries and have since expanded globally as centers of learning, culture, and tourism. Well-known examples include the Louvre, the British Museum, and the Smithsonian, though countless local museums preserve regional heritage and contribute to community identity.