Musée des Anciens Arquebusiers Visétois
Museum of the Royal Company of the Former Arquebusiers of Visé: 16th- and 17th-century arquebuses, guild traditions, film archive; free admission.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Royal Company of the Former Arquebusiers of Visé was founded in 1579, at a time when the town had to defend itself against Spanish troops. It was officially recognised on 15 May 1580 by Gérard de Groesbeeck, Prince-Bishop of Liège, who gave it its statutes, which still apply today. Originally an armed company, it became a brotherhood that only takes up arms for target shooting.
Its premises, known as La Renaissance, are on the rue Haute. The company bought them in 1913; they were destroyed during the First World War and then rebuilt. The building houses a large function hall decorated with frescoes by Pierrot Lensen, a meeting room, the Enclos des Arquebusiers (no shooting; bar and garden), an archive room, a library and the museum, which was restored in 2012.
The collections focus on the arquebus and the arquebusier's equipment, with pieces from the 16th and 17th centuries and reconstructions, as well as on the traditions, uniforms and history of the company. The museum also houses the “Pierre Galère” film archive (films and videos from 1920 to 2020), the “Edmond Bruyère” library and a photo archive covering one hundred and fifty years of the company's life and of Visé.
Highlights
- Arquebuses and arquebusier's equipment from the 16th and 17th centuries
- Traditions, uniforms and history of the company since 1579
- “Pierre Galère” film archive (films and videos from 1920 to 2020)
- Photo archive covering 150 years of the company and of Visé
- Frescoes by Pierrot Lensen in the hall and function room
Permanent exhibition
- Collection permanente – Arquebuses from the 16th and 17th centuries, reconstructions, uniforms and traditional objects of the company, with film archive, library and photo archive.
- Operated by
- Compagnie royale des Anciens Arquebusiers de Visé
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Visits are free; a small contribution is requested for guided tours.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum is in the La Renaissance premises, rue Haute 11, in the centre of Visé.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
On-site sales of a history book about the company, the magazine Le Papegaie, a double CD of traditional music and songs, prints and souvenirs.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours are arranged according to demand, visitors' interests or the size of the group. The library, film archive and photo archive can be consulted on request; documents cannot be taken away, but copies are possible. When the function hall is free, the visit includes explanations of the frescoes. |
