Musée gaumais

About the museum

The Musée gaumais was founded in 1937 by Edmond Fouss to preserve the heritage and traditions of the Gaume, which had been upended since the industrial revolution. It was installed in Virton in the surviving wing of the Recollect convent, an 18th-century building.

Over time the museum expanded. In 1968 an onion-domed bell tower, typical of Gaume churches, was built, and a jacquemart (a figure that strikes the hours) made of red copper and gilded with gold leaf was installed there, in the likeness of a Recollect monk known as “frère Jacques”; it still strikes the hours every day. In 1990 a modern wing on the street front was linked to the old wing by a glazed gallery, allowing much broader collections to be shown, notably thanks to the archaeological excavations led by Gérard Lambert. In 2021, after long works, the left-hand part of the old building was inaugurated as the Galerie du Récollet, a space for temporary exhibitions and lectures.

The collections range from archaeology to fine arts, including houses and customs of the past, and include an immersive space devoted to the tales and legends of the Gaume. The museum also runs several outposts in the region, including the Montauban lapidary museum in Buzenol and the museum of rural life and the school of yesteryear in Montquintin.

Highlights

• 18th-century former Recollect convent with its jacquemart
• Collections on the archaeology, art and everyday life of the Gaume
• Immersive space “Contes et légendes” (Tales and Legends)
• Galerie du Récollet for temporary exhibitions
• Outposts at Montauban (Buzenol) and Montquintin

Permanent exhibitions

• Contes et légendes de la Gaume – Immersive space in the heart of a land peopled with fairies, ghosts and magic horses.
• Collections du Musée gaumais – From archaeology to fine arts, through houses and customs of the past: traces of the regional, cultural, historical, artistic and natural heritage of the Gaume.

Founded

1937

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission for everyone on the first Sunday of every month.

Also free for museum members, holders of the MuseumPass, the ICOM card or an Article 27 ticket, as well as for pupils of establishments recognised by the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles and their accompanying adults.

Accessibility

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

The museum works with the asbl Access-i (non-profit association; information sheet available). It comprises two buildings linked by a glazed gallery, with access ramps, lifts and tactile paving on the stairs. The second building is reached by a short, steep slope; its lift is only accessible during temporary exhibitions, otherwise you need to ask at reception to open the doors. A disabled parking space in front of the entrance, an adapted toilet, two wheelchairs to be booked by phone and electronic magnifiers are available; induction-loop audioguides are announced. A visitor guide in easy-to-read language (FALC) is available in the rooms. Animals are not allowed, except guide dogs and assistance dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Cultural and fun activities for families, courses and creative workshops. Birthday parties on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 14:00 to 17:00: a playful visit, a creative workshop and a snack (tales and legends for ages 5 to 7, treasure hunt for ages 8 to 12), €70 plus €5 per child, maximum 15 children, booking at least one month in advance.

Getting there & parking

By car: E411, exit 29 Habay, then N87. RAVeL line 155 runs just behind the museum, via the Cour Marchal.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Shop in the reception hall, with a bookshop specialising in the Gaume, the museum’s publications and creations by local craftspeople. Cloakroom without locks. Seats are available in the rooms.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit