Musée d'Art et d'Archéologie d'Aurillac
Municipal museum in Aurillac, housed in a former convent, with collections of ethnography, archaeology, painting, sculpture and contemporary photography.
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About the museum
The museum's history begins in 1853 with the creation of a painting museum led by the Aurillac-born artist Éloy Chapsal. The collections were then housed in several places around the town. In 1992, the municipality installed them in the Centre culturel Pierre-Mendès-France, a 17th-century building that was first a convent of the Visitandine nuns, then a national stud farm until the 1980s.
The route brings together ethnography collections, with an old interior from the Cantal and objects of local craftsmanship, and archaeology collections ranging from the Palaeolithic to the Middle Ages. The paintings and sculptures cover several European schools from the 17th to the 19th century. A bust of Rodin by Camille Claudel is among the major works. The museum also holds more than 750 prints of contemporary photography, gathered since the 1980s.
The museum closed in September 2023 as part of a restructuring project for the town's museums, and reopened on June 23, 2024. It now also houses natural science collections from the Muséum des Volcans, which is closed to the public. The town plans to bring together the collections of both museums in a new institution by 2028–2030.
Highlights
- Bust of Rodin by Camille Claudel
- Reconstructed old interior from the Cantal
- Archaeology of the Cantal, from the Palaeolithic to the Middle Ages
- Paintings and sculptures from the 17th to the 19th century
- Contemporary photography collection of more than 750 prints
- Building of a former Visitandine convent
Permanent exhibitions
- Collections d'ethnographie et d'archéologie – Folk and industrial traditions of the Cantal, with umbrellas and goldsmith work, a reconstructed old interior and local archaeological objects.
- Peintures, sculptures et art contemporain – Works from the 17th to the 19th century, contemporary art and the collection of contemporary photography.
- Founded
- 1853
- Operated by
- Ville d'Aurillac
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3.50Students, job seekers, holders of a disability card, holders of the current year's “Guide du Routard”, holders of the Cézam card and members of a group of at least 10 adults, on proof |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 25 · Free admission for under-26s. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €3.50Reduced rate for holders of a disability card. |
| Students & apprentices | €3.50On proof. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €3.50 per personReduced rate for a group of at least 10 adults; one free accompanying person for 10 adults, or one adult for 8 children. |
| School activity per class (schools outside Aurillac, collèges, lycées, higher education) | €35Free for preschools and primary schools in Aurillac. |
| Visit-workshop “Enfance et musée”, group of 10 or more children (15 maximum) | €35€3.50 per child for a group of fewer than 10 children. |
Free admission: First Sunday of every month.
Admission is also free for residents of Aurillac (proof of address), holders of the ICOM card or the Ministry of Culture card, teachers preparing a school visit, and journalists. The Pass Cantal, Pass Région and Pass Culture are accepted.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum holds the “Tourisme et handicap” label. The rooms are fully accessible to people with reduced mobility; a wheelchair can be lent at reception on request, and benches are placed along the route. Adapted tours are offered to groups by reservation.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Carmes
Urban bus lines 10, 20, 21, 30 and 50, stop Carmes.
By car
A disabled parking space is in rue des Carmes, 150 metres from the museum; after calling the museum, a drop-off is possible.
- Accessible parking
The museum is in the town centre, in the Centre Pierre-Mendès-France, and is reached via the Jardin des Carmes.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Groups can book tailor-made adapted tours. For school classes, online booking is mandatory; accompanied tours on history, archaeology and art will resume from 2027, while natural science tours continue to be offered. |
