Artothèque de Mons
Storage, restoration and study centre for the collections of the City of Mons, housed in the former Ursulines convent and open to the public.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Artothèque occupies the former Ursulines convent, below the Square Roosevelt, opposite the Sainte-Waudru collegiate church. The Ursulines, who settled in Mons in 1648, built from 1659 a complex of buildings: a first main building, parlours, a chapel (1707-1711), the boarders' building and the school building. The main architect of these works was Claude-Joseph de Bettignies, after whom the street is named.
The convent was closed after the French arrived in 1793. In the nineteenth century, much of its gardens disappeared for urban development works. During both World Wars it served, among other things, as a German military hospital, and it was partly destroyed by the bombing of 1940; the chapel, which is listed, was converted after the Second World War.
The former chapel has been converted into a modern museum by an architectural project that keeps the heritage shell and opens a luminous vertical gap through the floors. Part of the building is accessible to the public: the ground-floor rooms and the documentation centre. The other levels house the scientific staff, restoration, logistics and seven storerooms.
The Artothèque keeps, studies and restores the municipal collections of the City of Mons, that is, the works that are not permanently on display in the other museums. Interactive displays allow visitors to browse some 50,000 works, and guided tours take you behind the scenes.
Highlights
- Shared storerooms for the City of Mons collections, around 50,000 works
- Interactive displays for exploring the collections
- Guided tours “L’envers du décor”: storerooms, restoration and digitisation workshop
- Former listed chapel of the Ursulines convent, converted into a modern museum
- Documentation centre with library, free access
Permanent exhibition
- Découverte des collections de la Ville de Mons – Ground-floor rooms with interactive displays for browsing some 50,000 works from the municipal collections.
- Operated by
- Ville de Mons (Pôle muséal)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5residents of Mons, seniors (over 60), jobseekers, people with specific needs and their companion, adults with children |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 2 · Free for under 3s; ages 3 to 18: €3 (€2 for Mons residents) |
| Seniors | €5From 60 years |
| Visitors with disabilities | €5The companion of a person with specific needs also pays €5 |
| Students & apprentices | €3€2 for students living in Mons |
| Groups | –Groups book via visitMons |
| Families | €5€5 rate for an adult accompanied by children (2 at most) |
| Adult living in Mons | €5 |
| Jobseeker | €5 |
| Carte PROF (teachers) | €2For teachers on presentation of the card |
| Article 27 | €1.25 |
Free admission: First Sunday of the month
Free admission with the museumPASSmusées. The Mons Card offers discounts (24 hours).
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Entrance for people with reduced mobility, access ramp, lifts, accessible toilets and a platform lift; wheelchairs and stick seats on loan; certified guide dogs accepted; disabled parking nearby.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 2 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €5 · €5 rate for an adult accompanied by children (2 at most) |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
Interactive displays let you browse the collections. The Dynamusée education service offers family Sundays (visit and workshop), storytelling nights, after-school care and courses for 4 to 12 year olds.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Mons SNCB
Many bus lines (including 1, 2, 6, 7, 9, 15, 16, 18, 19, 22, 23, 41, 82 and 96), Mons SNCB stop. Mons SNCB station is 200 m away.
By car
Parking for people with reduced mobility nearby.
- Accessible parking
Mons station is 200 m away.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The documentation centre offers workspaces, a photocopier and a printer; the library of the Public Reading Network is open access and free.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
The Mons Museum Centre rents rooms at several of its sites, with a rental brochure.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours “L’envers du décor” with a heritage guardian, booked via the agenda. For groups, booking is mandatory via visitMons at +32 65 40 53 46. |
