Atelier-musée Jean Lurçat

About the museum

Overlooking the town of Saint-Céré, the château of Saint-Laurent-les-Tours rises with its towers and ramparts. For eight centuries it belonged to the Turenne family, who made it the second stronghold of their viscounty. It then had several owners before Jean Lurçat acquired it.

In 1941, Jean Lurçat was living in the Lot and taking part in the Resistance; it was then that he discovered the Tours, which struck him like love at first sight. He lived there until his death in 1966, dividing his time between Paris and the Lot. Recognized as the great pioneer of the renewal of tapestry in the 20th century, he found there a setting that inspired most of his best-known works, such as “Le Chant du monde” or “La Tapisserie de l’Apocalypse”.

The house still bears the traces of the artist: plants climb the fireplace in the salon, and the ceilings and beams are covered with stars, suns and moons. The museum, run by the Département du Lot, has received the “Maisons des Illustres” label. The visit is accompanied by a sound trail featuring the voice of Jean Lurçat and his relatives, produced by a Radio France studio.

Highlights

• Medieval Turenne family château where Jean Lurçat lived and worked
• Rooms decorated by the artist himself
• Sound trail with the voice of Jean Lurçat and his relatives
• Exhibition rooms with tapestries and ceramics
• Gardens of the atelier-museum

Permanent exhibition

• Atelier et château de Jean Lurçat – Visit to the rooms decorated by the artist, the exhibition rooms and the gardens, with a sound trail.

Operated by

Département du Lot

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Saturday of each month; European Heritage Days

Full price of €4 for adults over 26. Admission is also free for young holders of the Pass culture, holders of the Occ’ygène card, school groups and holiday centers, job seekers and recipients of the RSA or of aid for people in precarious situations, holders of the ICOM card, tour guides, journalists and members of the atelier-museum’s support committee.

Accessibility

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

The site is only partly accessible to people with reduced mobility; the museum invites visitors to contact it by phone for more details. An induction loop is available at reception for hearing-impaired visitors.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

School visits and summer workshops for children, at €4 per child for a half day.

Getting there & parking

The château overlooks Saint-Céré; access via the RD 40 or RD 48 from Saint-Céré.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop and sale of cold drinks; shaded areas.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit