Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tournai

About the museum

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tournai owes its existence to a bequest. Shortly before his death in 1904, the Brussels patron Henri Van Cutsem offered the city his collection of modern Belgian and French painting, on condition that a museum be built by his friend Victor Horta. The architect's final plan dates from 1911; work began in 1912 on the site of the former Saint-Martin abbey but was interrupted by the First World War, and the building was not inaugurated until 1928.

It is the only museum that Horta ever designed as such. His original plan, in the shape of a “tortoise”, marks the transition between Art Nouveau and the Art Deco-inspired modernism. The monumental façade of Tournai limestone features the scrolling plant motifs that made the architect famous. Inside, the galleries radiate around a central atrium and are lit entirely by skylights. The building is recognised as an exceptional heritage site of Wallonia.

The collections offer an overview of painting and sculpture, from the Flemish Primitives such as Rogier van der Weyden and Robert Campin to contemporary artists. They also include works by Rubens, Jordaens, Watteau, Monet, Van Gogh and Seurat, as well as by painters from Tournai. The museum holds the only two works by Édouard Manet in Belgium. Since 2016 a restoration and extension project, entrusted to the office of Xaveer De Geyter and Barbara Van der Wee, has planned to considerably enlarge the museum's floor space.

Highlights

• Art Nouveau building designed by Victor Horta, with a façade of Tournai stone
• Central atrium and galleries lit by skylights
• Flemish Primitives, including Rogier van der Weyden and Robert Campin
• Henri Van Cutsem collection, with the only two Manets in Belgium
• Impressionist and post-Impressionist painters, from Monet to Van Gogh

Permanent exhibition

• Collections permanentes – Paintings and sculptures from the Flemish Primitives to contemporary art, including the Henri Van Cutsem collection with two works by Édouard Manet, displayed in the building designed by Victor Horta.

Founded

1928

Operated by

Ville de Tournai

Visitors per year

approx. 28,000

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every first Sunday of the month, for all visitors

Also free for teachers, press, holders of the Museum Pass, museum-related associations, school groups of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, municipal and CPAS staff, guides of the Tournai guides' association and tourist accommodation providers; free admission applies on presentation of the card confirming the status. The ticket desk closes half an hour before the museum closes.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum declares itself accessible to people with reduced mobility; a reduced rate applies on presentation of the Handypass. Animals are not admitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly

The “Sac à malices” (bag of tricks) is free but must be booked: it contains playful and sensory tools and activities for all ages, to be carried out in front of the museum's key works. Pushchairs are allowed.

Getting there & parking

By car: about 1 hour 15 minutes from Brussels, 30 minutes from Lille and 40 minutes from Mons and Charleroi.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Souvenir shop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit