Cabu &

the Duduchothèque

First opened to the public on December 1st of 2018, the Duduchothèque is a gallery dedicated to the childhood drawings of Jean Cabut, known as Cabu (1938-2015). The Duduchothèque in Châlons, where he was born, where he grew up and where he first began to draw. This is a place for exhibitions, readings, research, entertainment, learning and more. A venue where you can discover how K-bu became Cabu. And one where you are always welcome!

Welcome to the Duduchothèque

In his archives, Cabu had kept his childhood notebooks, early drawings, and his sketches published in the local daily newspaper L’Union, in which the first humorous lines of the man who still signed his name, J-Kbu, can be found. All these drawings from his youth were brought to Châlons by his family in the spring of 2018.

The Duduchothèque takes its name from the Grand Duduche character created by Cabu. It is a memory of high school, created with him and his friends in mind. Duduche is a dunce who distinguishes himself from the other “friends” by a degree of tenderness, a liking for pranks and a head full of dreams. He appears in Cabu’s drawings and throughout his career.

Duduchotheque Cabu Chalons Musee © Christophe Manquillet

Duduchotheque Cabu Chalons Portrait © Christophe Manquillet

Duduchotheque Cabu Signature Chalons @ Christophe Manquillet

Duduchotheque Cabu Chalons Presse © Christophe Manquillet

Practical information

The Duduchothèque welcomes you at 68 Rue Léon Bourgeois, from 2 to 6pm from Wednesday to Saturday and the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month.

No reservation required.

Admission and all the activities offered by the Duduchothèque are free.

Information and reservations:

06 71 08 85 53

duduchotheque.cabu@chalonsenchampagne.fr

Cultural and educational activities

The Duduchothèque is founded on trois pillars:

Learning

as it is a place where Cabu’s work can be passed on to future generations. Classes from Châlons, the Marne department and, of course, the whole of France can all benefit from this exceptional venue.

Events

with a permanent exhibition (which is constantly expanding), temporary exhibitions and other events throughout the year: talks, screenings, city tours, press weeks, and much more.

Research

This is a venue for researchers and academics to deepen their understanding of his artistic style as well as the political messages and values that he conveys through his drawings.

La Duduchothèque...

A small piece of history

Duduchotheque Cabu Accueil Chalons © Christophe Manquillet

The Duduchothèque is housed in a beautiful 19th century building in Rue Léon Bourgeois. This is wonderfully symbolic as Léon Bourgeois (1851-1925), a politician of the Third Republic, was the first president of the League of Nations and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Peace and solidarity in perfect harmony with Cabu’s own philosophy!

In the 15th century, the building was known as the “Hôtel de l’écu de France” which continued up until the 18th century. At that time, it was one of the most prestigious hotels in the city.

At the end of the 18th century, the house was sold to Anne Catherine Legentil, who obtained permission to rebuild it. At the end of the 19th century, the house was acquired by the Société anonyme des Établissements Mielle et Cie, which based its headquarters there. The property was sold to the City of Châlons-sur-Marne in the 1970s. In 1992, it became home to the Schiller-Goethe Museum.

In 2012, after spending several months refurbishing the interior of the building, the Nicolas Durand house became home to the “Châlons, ville d’art et d’histoire” (Châlons, city of art and history) and its Centre d’Interprétation de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine (CIAP), which presents the city and how it has evolved over the centuries. And since 2018, it has been the Duduchothèque…

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