Collection Lambert

About the museum

The Collection Lambert grew out of the collection of Yvon Lambert, one of the most important Parisian art dealers from the 1960s to 2010. This private collection, which numbers nearly 2,000 works, was assembled with artists of minimal art, conceptual art and land art, and later painting, photography and video. In 2000, Yvon Lambert deposited part of it at the Hôtel de Caumont in Avignon with a view to donating it to the State. The donation of more than 550 works was made official in July 2012.

The Hôtel de Caumont was built in 1720 to designs by Jean-Baptiste Franque; the staircase in the entrance hall is listed as a historic monument. It hosts a regularly renewed selection from the permanent collection, as well as works permanently installed by artists such as Sol LeWitt, Lawrence Weiner, Jenny Holzer and Claude Lévêque. In 2015, the architects Cyrille and Laurent Berger added the neighboring 18th-century Hôtel de Montfaucon, bringing the museum’s area to nearly 4,000 m². This second building presents temporary exhibitions over three levels, which change twice a year.

The museum also has a 150-seat auditorium, workshop spaces, a bookshop and a restaurant on site.

Highlights

• Contemporary art collection of Yvon Lambert (Cy Twombly, Sol LeWitt, Nan Goldin, Basquiat …)
• 1720 Hôtel de Caumont and its staircase, listed as a historic monument
• Works permanently installed by Sol LeWitt, Lawrence Weiner, Jenny Holzer or Claude Lévêque
• More than 200 photographs by Andres Serrano
• Hôtel de Montfaucon arranged as “white cube” galleries
• 150-seat auditorium and bookshop

Permanent exhibitions

• Collection permanente à l'Hôtel de Caumont – A selection from the permanent collection, presented in rotating displays devoted to movements or artists.
• Œuvres installées à demeure – Installations conceived for the site by artists including Sol LeWitt, Lawrence Weiner, Jenny Holzer, Claude Lévêque and Miroslaw Balka.

Founded

2000

Director

François Quintin

Admission & discounts

Also free for recipients of social minimum benefits and, upon presentation of a card, for journalists and art critics (AICA or the press union for art journalism). The museum is a partner of schemes such as the Pass Culture and an access pass for museums and monuments in Avignon and Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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 museum is set up for people with reduced mobility: entrance through the left-hand door (to be announced at reception), sloped ramps and elevators. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are accepted. Adapted guided tours are offered to groups from the social and disability sectors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

A family workshop is held each month, and mediators offer tours and activities for younger children. Two workshop spaces are located in the heart of the exhibition route.

Getting there & parking

The museum entrance is at 5 rue Violette. The museum is a 6-minute walk from Avignon Centre station.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Bookshop café and contemporary art bookshop with museum shop; the Italie Là-Bas Ré restaurant on the premises (cuisine by Italia Palladino, since February 2026).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Seminars, conferences, evening events and cocktails in the galleries, historic rooms, auditorium, meeting room, courtyard and garden. Private hire in the morning, in the evening or on closing days; rates and technical sheet on request.

Plan your visit