CAP – Maison des Collections
History museum of the city of Mons in the former Maison Jean Lescarts, at the CAP: municipal collections, a thematic route and a mediation room.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Maison des Collections occupies the former Maison Jean Lescarts, a 17th-century building on the rue Neuve in Mons. It was entirely renovated with support from the European Regional Development Fund and the Walloon Region. Since April 2024 it has been part of the CAP (Culture, Art et Patrimoine), together with the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the “Poirier Beurré” garden.
The house has become the history museum of the city of Mons. It tells the story of the city and of what is being written today through the municipal collections, to show the importance of memory and the transmission of heritage. The objects on display include the Jean Lescarts collection, objects from the Walloon Heritage Agency and pieces from the collection of Canon Puissant.
The visit begins with a sound tunnel designed by the artists' collective VOID, which links the Musée des Beaux-Arts to the house, and then presents the history of the place. The route is then organised around verbs such as transmit, live, exchange, decide, connect, spread and think. On the ground floor, interpretive rooms and digital displays present a socio-historical panorama of Mons; upstairs, the route is more immersive and evokes Mons's intangible heritage.
A Labo room on the top floor hosts mediation projects carried out with residents, associations and artists.
Highlights
- Thematic route on the history of Mons, organised around verbs
- Immersive sound tunnel by the VOID collective between the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the house
- Municipal collections, including the Jean Lescarts collection
- Labo room devoted to participatory projects
- Free-access garden “Poirier Beurré” next to the house
Permanent exhibition
- Parcours permanent de la maison des Collections – The history of the city of Mons told through the municipal collections, organised around themes such as living, exchanging, deciding or transmitting.
- Founded
- 2024
- Operated by
- Ville de Mons (Pôle muséal)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4residents of Mons, jobseekers, people with specific needs and their companion, adults with children |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 2 · Free for under 3s; ages 3 to 18: €3 (€2 for Mons residents) |
| Visitors with disabilities | €4The companion of a person with specific needs also pays €4 |
| Students & apprentices | €3€2 for students living in Mons |
| Groups | –Groups book via visitMons |
| Families | €4€4 rate for an adult accompanied by children (2 at most) |
| Adult living in Mons | €4 |
| Jobseeker | €4 |
| Carte PROF (teachers) | €2For teachers on presentation of the card |
| Article 27 | €1.25 |
Free admission: First Sunday of the month
Free admission with the museumPASSmusées. The Mons Card offers discounts (24 hours).
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- 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 CAP is accessible to people with reduced mobility: step-free entrance, lift, reception adapted for wheelchairs and accessible toilets; stick seats and wheelchairs are available at reception.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 2 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €4 · €4 rate for an adult accompanied by children (2 at most) |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
Hands-on digital displays line the route; the Dynamusée education service offers activities for families and children.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Grand’Place
Bus lines CityR and CityO, Grand’Place stop. Mons SNCB station is 950 m away.
Bicycle racks on site. Mons station is 950 m away.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
Guinguette (open-air café and bar) in the garden of the “Poirier Beurré”, free to access, for a coffee or a drink.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
The Mons Museum Centre rents rooms at several of its sites, with a rental brochure; a rental can be combined with a visit.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours for individual visitors by reservation; for groups, booking is mandatory via visitMons at +32 65 40 53 46. |
