Musée Arcabas en Chartreuse

About the museum

The Musée Arcabas occupies the church of Saint-Hugues-de-Chartreuse, a hamlet of Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse, in the heart of the Chartreuse regional nature park. This 19th-century neo-Romanesque church succeeded a small chapel built around 1834; the parish of Saint-Hugues was created in 1852. It faces west rather than east, as tradition would have it.

In February 1952, the young painter Arcabas, then 25 years old, met the priest Raymond Truffot, who entrusted him with the interior of the church during roof and floor works. He first painted a frieze on jute canvas, then added in 1972 the Coronation, made of 31 linen canvases heightened with gold, and 53 canvases inspired by sacred texts. The church became a departmental museum in 1984; the artist completed the ensemble in 1985 with the Predella, a band of 53 canvases, and in 1992 with a Dead Christ in memory of the priest.

The ensemble brings together paintings, stained glass, sculptures and furniture. It is among the most accomplished achievements of 20th-century sacred art. The museum is part of the network of eleven museums of the Isère Department; admission is free. It offers guided tours, workshops and, at certain times, temporary exhibitions.

Highlights

• Frieze painted in 1952 on jute canvas
• Coronation of 1972 in 31 linen canvases with gold
• Predella of 53 canvases, added in 1985
• Dead Christ made in 1992 in memory of the priest Raymond Truffot
• Stained glass, sculptures and furniture by Arcabas
• Neo-Romanesque church in the Chartreuse regional nature park

Permanent exhibition

• L’église peinte par Arcabas – Frieze, Coronation, Predella, Dead Christ, stained glass and sculptures: the work the painter Arcabas created at Saint-Hugues between 1952 and 1992.

Founded

1984

Operated by

Département de l’Isère

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission: Free guided tour on the first Sunday of every month at 11:00

Admission to the museum is free for everyone. Only paid guided tours and workshops carry a charge.

Accessibility

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

The spaces are listed as accessible to people with reduced mobility. According to the tourist office listing, there is a small step at the entrance and two steps in the choir; the toilets about 15 metres away include one accessible cubicle. Visits in French Sign Language are possible. Only assistance dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Discovery guides for very young and young visitors, with a gift for children who answer the questionnaires. Art practice workshops for adults and children from age 7 during school holidays. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Getting there & parking

3 km from Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse, about 45 minutes from Grenoble and Chambéry. By car: D512 from Grenoble, D520B from Saint-Laurent-du-Pont. From La Diat stop, it is 2 km on foot (30 minutes) or 5 minutes by carpool. Near the Musée de la Correrie.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check: not available

Shop to the right of the choir (books, postcards, posters, local products). Vigipirate security plan: bags are visually checked at reception; no bag or object storage, and suitcases or large bags are not admitted.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit