Musée d'Angoulême
Museum in the former bishop’s palace at the foot of the cathedral, with collections of Charente archaeology, African and Oceanian art and Western art.
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About the museum
The museum’s collection begins in 1838, when the painter François Ringuet from Angoulême gave ten paintings to the town. A first museum opened in 1869 in the town hall, before moving in 1920 to the former bishop’s palace beside the apse of the Saint-Pierre cathedral, where it initially occupied only two old wings.
In 1934 Dr Jules Lhomme bequeathed to the town a very large collection of objects from Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas, as well as archaeological finds from the Charente. Works carried out between 1979 and 1983 opened the whole building to the public, and a complete renovation by the architects Stéphane Barbotin-Larrieu and Paul Gresham took place from 2005 to 2008.
On March 1, 2008 the former Musée des Beaux-Arts reopened as the Musée d’Angoulême. Three collections are given equal standing there: the archaeology and palaeontology of the Charente, the arts of Africa and Oceania, and Western art, whose display was reorganised by theme in 2018.
In 2023 the museum expanded its digital facilities (videos, sounds, virtual reality headsets). In 2025 the archaeological and historical collections of the Société archéologique et historique de la Charente were transferred to the museum. It is part of the MAAM, the municipal department that also includes the Musée du Papier, the municipal archives and the Artothèque.
Highlights
- Dinosaur sites of the Charente and archaeology from Neanderthals to the Middle Ages
- One of the most important collections of African and Oceanian art in France
- Collection of Western art presented by theme
- Scent trail and objects to touch
- Housed in the former bishop’s palace at the foot of the cathedral
Permanent exhibitions
- Archéologie de la Charente – On the first floor (ground floor), the route follows the geological history of the département, from dinosaurs to prehistoric cultures, then from Neanderthals to medieval burials.
- Arts d'Afrique et d'Océanie – On the second floor, a selection of masks, ritual sculptures and everyday objects from the Maghreb, sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania.
- Art occidental – On the fourth floor, paintings, sculptures and ceramics from the 16th to 20th centuries are grouped by theme rather than in chronological order.
- Founded
- 1869
- Operated by
- Ville d'Angoulême
- Director
- Emilie Salaberry
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3.70Residents of Angoulême, large families, young people aged 18 to 25, people over 65, groups of more than 8 people, and holders of a ticket less than 7 days old from the Musée du Papier or the Trésor de la cathédrale |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free for individual visitors under 18. |
| Seniors | €3.70Reduced rate from age 65, with proof. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free with proof for people with a disability or invalidity, and one companion. |
| Students & apprentices | €3.70Reduced rate for young people aged 18 to 25; free admission for art students. |
| Groups (8+ people) | –Flat rate for a self-guided visit: €24 (8–15 people), €47 (16–30 people), €70 (31–50 people). Flat rate for a guided visit: €83, €119 or €154, depending on group size. Free for youth groups outside school hours on self-guided visits, and for primary school groups. |
| Families | €45Annual subscription for a group or family of up to 5 people (reduced rate: €38). |
| Individual annual subscription | €34Reduced rate: €26; unlimited access to the collections and events |
| Activity for young audiences | €2.40Free with a family subscription |
| Birthday workshop for children | €53.40From age 6, up to 12 children, by registration |
Free admission: First Sunday of each month
The ticket is valid all day. Free admission also for subscribers, recipients of minimum social benefits, cultural professionals, journalists and teachers preparing a booked visit. Activities during opening hours cost €2.30 extra.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum is accessible to people with reduced mobility; reserved parking spaces are on rue Corneille. Folding seats, magnifiers, torches and wheelchairs are lent at reception on request, as well as ear defenders and blindfolds. Assistance dogs are admitted with proof. Tactile, sensory and French Sign Language tours are offered by reservation, and self-guided visits or visits with a mediator are organised for families affected by disability on Saturdays. The museum holds the Tourisme et Handicap label.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
| Family ticket | €45 · Annual subscription for a group or family of up to 5 people (reduced rate: €38). |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
- Kids’ birthday parties
Activity booklets, including one for ages 4 to 6, a toolbox to take into the galleries, a scent trail and objects to touch. Visits and workshops for children during the holidays and on the first Sunday of the month. Changing tables in the toilets, stroller-canes and lifts; a quiet space can be provided for feeding a baby. Birthday parties for children from age 6 on Wednesday or Saturday afternoons.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Cathédrale
STGA city buses lines A, B, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and NAU, stop “Cathédrale”. The railway station is about 20 minutes on foot.
By car
- Accessible parking
Entrance via rue Corneille, square Girard II, beside the Saint-Pierre cathedral. Accessible parking spaces on rue Corneille.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Museum shop. The website does not mention Wi-Fi for visitors.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
The former bishop’s palace and its garden can be hired for cocktails, receptions, conferences, meetings or colloquia, with an optional tour of the collections. Quotes from musees@mairie-angouleme.fr.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The free “Visite Musée” app offers thematic routes with content accessible via QR code; it can be downloaded or borrowed on a tablet at reception. The museum recommends about 1 hour 30 minutes for the visit. Groups are received by appointment only. |
