Musée archéologique de Namur

About the museum

The Musée archéologique de Namur was founded in 1849 on the initiative of the Société archéologique de Namur and was first housed in the Palace of Justice. In 1856 it moved into the Halle al'Chair, the former municipal butchers' hall, where objects were displayed soberly, in chronological order and by place of discovery. It gained considerable reputation in Europe thanks to its collections from the late Roman period and the Merovingian era. Over time the hall became too small and ill-suited both to conserving and to presenting the collections.

The City of Namur, which runs the museum, therefore invested in a new space within the Les Bateliers complex, next to the Musée des Arts décoratifs. The museum occupies the former bargemen's school, topped by a contemporary glass roof by the artist Jean Glibert, with rooms spread over two floors.

The collections, among the richest in the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, range from Prehistory to the early Middle Ages and come mainly from the province of Namur. The core consists of finds from the Société archéologique, from excavations in the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th century, notably the villa at Anthée and the cemeteries of Flavion and Berzée. Added to these are elements of Namur's built heritage, furnishings from the Gallo-Roman settlement of Braives and from the Merovingian cemetery of Omal, as well as the City's former mineralogy collection.

Highlights

• Archaeological collections from the Namur region, from Prehistory to the early Middle Ages
• Gallo-Roman villa at Anthée and the cemeteries of Flavion and Berzée
• Furnishings from the Gallo-Roman settlement of Braives and the Merovingian cemetery of Omal
• New museum in the former bargemen's school, under a glass roof by Jean Glibert
• Free interactive tablets for young visitors

Permanent exhibition

• Collections permanentes du Musée archéologique – A route through the former bargemen's school devoted to archaeological discoveries in the Namur region, from the Palaeolithic to the Middle Ages, and to the riches of Namur's subsoil.

Founded

1849

Operated by

Ville de Namur

Admission & discounts

Price for one museum; the combined ticket gives access to both museums of the complex. Free admission for school classes (FASE number), teachers, journalists and holders of an Article 27 ticket. Temporary exhibitions shown outside the museums are free. The Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Decorative Arts each have their own ticket.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: not available
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The Archaeological Museum is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility. The museum complex has no reserved parking space. Only guide dogs for the blind and assistance dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The museum lends interactive tablets free of charge to young visitors. The City's education unit regularly organises creative workshops for groups and families (aged 7 to 77, maximum 20 people).

Getting there & parking

The museum complex is in the heart of Namur, a few steps from Place Saint-Aubain.

Amenities & dining

• Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi for visitors to the museum complex. Visit leaflets are available at reception in French, Dutch, German, English and Spanish.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The museums can be hired for photo shoots (€500 for 4 hours during opening hours, €650 on Mondays) and for film shoots (€3,000 per day with exclusive use).

Plan your visit