The museum was built around an 18th-century farmhouse on the hill of La Clape in Cap d'Agde, and opened to the public in 1985. It was only in May 1987 that the famous bronze returned for good, with the inauguration of the Musée de la Clape, now renamed "Musée de l'Ephèbe et d'archéologie sous-marine "A place for conservation and research
With the law of January 4, followed by its decree of April 2002, the Musée de l'Ephèbe et d'archéologie sous-marine was awarded the "Musée de France" label by the French Ministry of Culture. As a result, its resources have been strengthened in the fields of conservation and study of works of art, and in the presentation and dissemination of knowledge to the public. This appointment imposes a high level of service to the public, optimal protection of the works so that they can be passed on in the same condition to future generations, as well as in-depth study and excellent presentation of the underwater archaeology collections, the fruit of chance discoveries and scientific research around the Agatha coast for over 50 years.
The Musée de l'Ephèbe et d'archéologie sous-marine is a place of study, research and conservation. Under the supervision of the DRASSM (Département des Recherches Archéologiques Subaquatiques et Sous-Marines), the museum works hard every day to provide you with a top-quality service: a restoration laboratory (Moïra Conservation) and a scientific team are on hand to manage the conservation and restoration of the works and the premises.
A dynamic museum open to all, a place of discovery and awareness for all: the educational department offers specific tours and workshops for every type of public and every age group: treasure hunts, storytelling, drawing, Greek painting, Greek writing on ostraca, oil lamp making, introduction to hieroglyphics, etc. Specific actions are aimed at children and teenagers.
Specific activities are geared towards disadvantaged groups (the disabled, people in rehabilitation, school drop-outs, those geographically remote): tactile workshop, physical discovery of statuary, olfactory workshop (Roman perfumes), creative writing, work on Greek and Roman clothing, ancient board games.
Anchored in a region with a rich history dating back three millennia, the museum is part of a regional dynamic, collaborating with numerous public and private players in the field of heritage: networking of the region's archaeological museums, heritage promotion projects for young visitors, etc.
A multimedia scenographic program is currently being set up. It provides visitors with an original and complementary perspective on certain works. In 2011, the museum will be equipped with two brand-new holographic display cases, bringing the statues of the Roman Child and the Ephebe back to life.
The museum is a public place where visitors can inform themselves, look, discuss, stroll, document or learn, and even enjoy themselves. Heritage, accessible to all, is a product of the past, but it must be seen as a living space for encounters and exchanges.