Musée bibliothèque Pierre-André-Benoit
Museum of modern and contemporary art in Alès, housed in the Domaine de Rochebelle, with the donation of Pierre André Benoît and his artist’s library.
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About the museum
Pierre André Benoît (1921–1993), printer, publisher, poet and artist born in Alès, gave his home town a large part of his collection: paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures. It includes works by Braque, Picasso, Miró, Picabia, Survage, Vieira da Silva, Bryen and Hugo, which reflect the artistic research of the postwar years. He gave his archives as a printer and publisher to the Bibliothèque nationale de France.
The museum is housed at Rochebelle, a former residence of the bishops of Alès, later the home of the directors of the Houillères. The town of Alès acquired the estate in 1976 and fitted it out to open the museum-library in 1989. The site was chosen for its resemblance to the artist’s last home, the Château Moderne in Rivières-de-Theyrargues. Visitors are welcomed by a mural by Pierre Alechinsky.
The building has 14 exhibition rooms, covering some 900 m². The third floor is devoted to the book: the library was designed on the model of the artist’s home, with coloured plaster reliefs and furniture decorated by him. The museum is run by Alès Agglomération.
Highlights
- Donation of Pierre André Benoît: Braque, Picasso, Miró, Picabia, Survage
- Mural by Pierre Alechinsky at the entrance
- Library and artists’ books on the third floor
- Domaine de Rochebelle with its garden
- Geolocated audio trail “Allez zou !” through the town
Permanent exhibition
- Collection permanente : donation Pierre André Benoît – Paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures by 20th-century masters, as well as the artist’s library on the third floor.
- Founded
- 1989
- Operated by
- Alès Agglomération
Admission & discounts
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free for under-18s. |
|---|---|
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free for people with disabilities and their companion. |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree for students. |
| Groups | –Half price for groups of more than 10 people (temporary exhibitions). |
| Temporary exhibition, full price | €7 |
| Temporary exhibition, half price | €4Teachers, groups of more than 10 people, members of certain associations and of the COS d'Alès Agglomération, visitors to the other two museums holding a full-price ticket of less than 3 days. |
| Individual guided tour | €2By reservation. |
| Annual individual pass | €19Unlimited visits to the 3 museums of Alès Agglomération. |
Free admission: First Sunday of the month, European Heritage Days and Museum Night.
The permanent exhibition is free; the rates below apply to the temporary exhibitions. Free for under-18s, school pupils and students, recipients of social benefits, people with disabilities and their companion, journalists, members of the museum’s friends association, and holders of ICOM, ICOMOS, Maison des Artistes or Ministry of Culture Carte Culture cards. Payment by bank card, cash or cheque.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Free activity booklets at the reception desk. Workshops for young visitors combined with a playful tour during school holidays.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Érables
Ales'Y bus line no. 4 (La Royale), Érables stop.
By car
Parking available
Car park with about 30 spaces.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Online and on-site shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Individual guided tour for €2, by reservation; guided tours for groups on request. Geolocated audio trail “Allez zou !” via the Listeners app. |
