Housed in the former Sainte-Claire convent, built in the 18th century, the museum opened its doors in 1986. It houses the official and personal gifts received by the President of the Republic, François Mitterrand, in the course of his duties and donated by him to the Nièvre department. After his re-election in 1988, a new building linked to the first by a vast underground room, whose large bay window opens onto the Morvan hills, was built to house the gifts given during the second seven-year term.