Musée de la Photographie

About the museum

The Musée de la Photographie was born in 1978 from the commitment of Jeanne and Georges Vercheval, who founded the non-profit association “Photographie Ouverte”. The success of the first international Triennial of Photography in 1980 led the authorities to support the association by providing it with a gallery in Charleroi. In 1987 the museum, then the contemporary art centre of the French Community, was inaugurated in the former Carmel of Mont-sur-Marchienne, a building from the late 19th century.

Major renovation work in 1995 turned the building into a modern museum open to the outside. When Xavier Canonne became director in March 2000, the growth of the collections made a new extension necessary. The museum now occupies 6,000 m², in the former Carmel and a recent wing.

It holds about 100,000 photographs, of which more than 800 are on permanent display, as well as 1.5 million negatives. The permanent route runs from the first daguerreotypes to contemporary creation: a chronological display in the Carmel and a thematic display in the new wing. The camera collection, including the R.R. Belot ensemble, traces the history of photographic technique. The museum also has a specialised library, a park of 85 ares and a café.

Highlights

• Permanent collection of more than 800 photographs, from daguerreotypes to contemporary creation
• Collection of cameras, including the R.R. Belot ensemble
• Former neo-Gothic Carmel and modern wing covering 6,000 m²
• Discovery route and analogue darkroom for understanding photography
• 85-are park with café and specialised library

Permanent exhibitions

• Collection permanente – Nearly 800 photographs, from the first 19th-century daguerreotypes to contemporary creation: chronological display in the former Carmel, thematic display in the new wing.
• Collection d'appareils photographiques – Cameras from the daguerreotype to digital, including the R.R. Belot ensemble of more than 600 pieces, deposited by the City of Charleroi.
• Parcours découverte – Educational space on the principles, language and uses of photography: precursors, 19th-century studio, camera obscura, optical illusions and press photography.

Founded

1987

Operated by

Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles

Director

Xavier Canonne

Visitors per year

approx. 60,000

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every first Sunday of the month: permanent collections free; temporary exhibitions €4 (reduced rate €2.50)

Admission is free for under-12s, partners, friends of the museum and for holders of several cards (JTI culture card, ICOM/Icomos, Pass 365.be, Carte Prof, etc.); online booking is possible.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

A wheelchair, folding seats and magnifying glasses are made available to visitors. The lift is adapted, pushchairs are allowed and a disabled parking space is provided. Since 2015 the public service has worked with the Amis des Aveugles de Ghlin to welcome blind and visually impaired visitors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Kids’ birthday parties

The “Parcours découverte” (discovery route) introduces photography in a playful way (camera obscura, light, vision, framing). The analogue darkroom and the digital lab (children aged 6 to 12) host workshops; the public service also organises courses, cyanotype workshops and birthday parties.

Getting there & parking

By car from Brussels: motorway A54 and Ring 9, exit “Porte de la Villette”, then about 3 km straight ahead. From Mons or Namur: E42, ring road R3, exit 5.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café du Musée with sandwiches, salads and pasta, overlooking the park (Tuesday to Friday 9:00-16:45, weekends and public holidays 10:00-17:45). Shop with publications, decorative objects and cameras. The 85-are park is open to visitors.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 250 guests.

Reception spaces for 20 to 250 people in the former Carmel and the new wing: seminars, conferences, dinners, cocktails and team building.

Plan your visit