The delirious teaser by the creators of 'Panique au village' for the reopening of the Musée de la Figurine in Compiègne

The Musée de la Figurine in Compiègne, France, is set to reopen on May 23, 2026, after a major renovation. To promote the reopening, the museum commissioned Stéphane Aubier and Vincent Patar, the creators of the cult stop-motion series "Panique au village" (known for its absurd plastic figurines), to produce a teaser video. The museum, which holds a rare collection of nearly 155,000 figurines spanning from prehistory to the present, has been redesigned with a 1,000-square-meter space, six thematic areas, interactive displays, and a monumental diorama of the Battle of Waterloo featuring 12,000 figurines, now enhanced with augmented reality. Admission will be free for all from May 23 to August 16, 2026.

This reopening matters because it revitalizes a unique cultural institution dedicated to the art of figurines, a niche but historically significant craft. The involvement of Aubier and Patar, whose work has been recognized at Cannes and by Aardman Studios, bridges high-art animation with museum heritage, potentially attracting a broader, younger audience. The €4 million investment and the integration of modern technology like augmented reality and interactive photo booths signal a shift toward more engaging, family-friendly museum experiences, while preserving a collection labeled "Musée de France."