Musée Guillaume Apollinaire

About the museum

In the summer of 1899, Guillaume Apollinaire, then aged 19, spent his holidays in Stavelot while his mother, a Polish aristocrat, frequented the casino in Spa. This stay deeply marked his work, notably “La Chanson du Mal-Aimé”. The museum of the Stavelot abbey recalls this stay and presents itself as the only museum in the world devoted to the poet.

The route introduces Apollinaire's artistic world through his writings and through the eyes of artists such as Picasso, Chagall, Marie Laurencin, Cocteau or Zadkine. For the centenary of his death, the display was entirely redesigned and enriched with new elements, presented since 7 November 2018.

A documentation centre with more than 1,000 books by and about Apollinaire is accessible to students and researchers by appointment. From the abbey, an Apollinaire trail follows the footsteps of the Stavelot “galante” Marie Dubois, then leads to the former Pension Constant, which the poet left “à la cloche de bois” (without settling his bill) and which today houses the restaurant “Ô Mal Aimé”. The museum is part of the abbey's Espace Tourisme Culture, together with the Spa-Francorchamps Circuit Museum and the Historical Museum of the Principality.

Highlights

• The only museum in the world devoted to Guillaume Apollinaire
• Display route renewed in 2018 on the poet's work and world
• Artists' views: Picasso, Chagall, Marie Laurencin, Cocteau, Zadkine
• Documentation centre of more than 1,000 books, accessible by appointment to students and researchers
• Apollinaire trail through Stavelot, from the abbey to the former Pension Constant

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours Guillaume Apollinaire – Display route on the poet's stay in Stavelot in 1899 and on his work, through his writings and the perspectives of several 20th-century artists.

Operated by

Espaces Tourisme & Culture asbl (Abbaye de Stavelot)

Admission & discounts

The single “All-in” ticket gives self-guided access to the three museums of the abbey (Spa-Francorchamps Circuit Museum, Guillaume Apollinaire Museum, Historical Museum of the Principality of Stavelot-Malmedy) and to the current temporary exhibition. Free with the museumPASSmusées.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

According to the abbey, the three museums are all on one level. For levels -1 and +1, the lift measures 1.10 m deep by 87 cm wide; a lift serves the part of the temporary exhibition on the second floor, and staff will operate it on request. The Access-i logo is displayed on the abbey's website.

Kids & families

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

The Brasserie de l'Abbaye, with a terrace, also welcomes visitors without a museum ticket. The Boutique de l'Abbaye sells merchandise, local beers, souvenirs and children's games.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Spaces in the abbey are available for hire; see the “Location & meeting” page of the website.

Plan your visit