Musée communal d'Archéologie, d'Art et d'Histoire de Nivelles

About the museum

The municipal museum of Nivelles occupies the former refuge of the Trinitarians of Orival, a corner house in Louis XV style of brick and bluestone, built between 1763 and 1769 on the site of the church of Saint-André, which was closed in 1754. The Trinitarians lived there until their order was dissolved by Emperor Joseph II in 1783. The building was then used as a workshop, a hotel (where the Duke of Wellington is said to have spent the night of 20 to 21 June 1815), a municipal secondary school, a pawnshop and finally an orphanage, until 1953.

That same year, 1953, an agreement made it possible to install the Musée communal d'archéologie, d'art et d'histoire there. The building has been listed since 1956. The museum's mission is to safeguard, study and make known the works, objects and documents relating to the history, heritage and folklore of Nivelles over a very long period.

The collections include Brabant Gothic sculpture, reduced models (bozetti) by the sculptor Laurent Delvaux (18th century), a Brussels tapestry from the 16th century and antique furniture, as well as two rooms of prehistoric and Gallo-Roman archaeology. The museum also has a documentation centre and a library devoted to the heritage and life of Nivelles, accessible by appointment, and regularly receives donations.

Highlights

• Brabant Gothic sculpture
• Bozetti (reduced models) by Laurent Delvaux, 18th century
• Brussels tapestry from the 16th century
• Two rooms of prehistoric and Gallo-Roman archaeology
• Listed 18th-century building, former refuge of the Trinitarians

Permanent exhibition

• Collections permanentes d'archéologie, d'art et d'histoire – Brabant Gothic sculpture, bozetti by Laurent Delvaux, a 16th-century Brussels tapestry, antique furniture and two rooms of prehistoric and Gallo-Roman archaeology.

Founded

1953

Operated by

Ville de Nivelles

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month

Adults: €2; reduced rate: €1; free for children under 12 and for ICOM members.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

School activity “Le Musée vu par les enfants” for Year 4 and Year 5 primary classes, every two years. Free for children under 12.

Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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