ARTICLE UPDATED IN 2026
✅ As far as we can tell, the Musée de l’Aviation du Mas Palégry still exists today as a smaller, private aviation museum in Perpignan.
📅 It’s generally open by appointment or on certain seasonal hours rather than as a major public museum.
📞 To visit, you should contact Marc Noetinger (the current caretaker) at the phone/email publicized below.
When ex fighter pilot (pilote de chasse) Charles Noetinger purchased Mas Palégry and its surrounding vineyard, situated between Perpignan and Villeneuve de la Raho, he did not give up on his passion for aviation.
Instead, in 1976 he put together a small and unique private collection, now a museum dedicated to all those pilots who never returned to base and those involved in the building of these incredible aircraft.
Outside a tin hangar sit two complete planes, a Fouga Magister (1956), and Max Holste “Broussard” (1952). Inside the hangar, along with the cockpits of two fighters, you will find all or parts of a mirage F1 (1973), a RF84 F Thunderflash (1953) and a Morane Saulnier 733 “Alcyon”.
All these planes have been flown, all had reached the end of their lives, all were rescued and restored by Charles. They can be viewed at Mas Palégry, along with a fascinating history of aviation, including nearly 500 original models.
Personal and passionate guided visits on request only by Charles’ son, Marc, who shares his father’s love of planes – in French and English. Not to be missed for enthusiasts.
UPDATE 2026
According to official heritage listings and current travel information, the museum is described as a private collection museum created in 1976 by Charles Noetinger, featuring original aircraft, hundreds of models and aviation memorabilia.
The museum generally opens from April to October with specific hours, and also welcomes visitors by appointment year-round — so a phone call to Marc Noetinger is the best way to ensure access.
Some older pieces of the Noetinger collection were auctioned in 2019, suggesting part of the original museum’s materials changed hands — but the museum itself still exists and is operational in some form
Hi Marc. My name is Paul Summerville. I met your dad many years ago when he visited the aircraft carrier John F Kennedy. I had the pleasure of flying your dad in my right seat both off and on the carrier. We were flying the S-3A Viking, an anti submarine aircraft. I hope your dad is still with us and that he is well. He was a joy to fly with.
Commander Paul Summerville
Retired