Musée d'Art et d'Archéologie

About the museum

The museum's collections were formed from the second half of the 19th century from two sources. The Senlis archaeological committee, founded in 1862, brought together donations dominated by archaeology, including nearly three hundred Gallo-Roman votive offerings discovered from 1873 in the sanctuary of the Halatte forest. At the same time, a municipal museum was created in 1876 thanks to a bequest, supplemented by loans from the State and gifts.

In 1952 the collections of the archaeological committee were given to the town, which led to the creation of a single municipal museum. Too cramped in the Hôtel du Haubergier, it moved to the former episcopal palace, bought by the town in 1981 and inaugurated as a museum in 1989. The building, leaning against the Gallo-Roman city wall and close to the cathedral, has been listed as a historic monument since 1964. It was then substantially rehabilitated, with the restoration of the chapel of Chancellor Guérin, the installation of a lift and a new route.

In the basement, visitors see the remains of a Gallo-Roman house built against the wall and a vaulted cellar devoted to the votive offerings. The ground floor presents the archaeological collections, including a bronze pedestal dedicated to the emperor Claudius, as well as medieval sculptures and liturgical objects. On the upper floor, paintings from the 17th to the 20th century include works by Thomas Couture and “primitifs modernes”, with an important holding of works by Séraphine Louis, known as Séraphine de Senlis.

Highlights

• Remains of a Gallo-Roman house and votive offerings from the Halatte forest sanctuary
• Bronze pedestal dedicated to the emperor Claudius
• Bearded male head, known as the “Tête de Senlis”
• Paintings by Thomas Couture
• Works by Séraphine Louis and the primitifs modernes
• Episcopal palace built against the Gallo-Roman ramparts

Permanent exhibitions

• Archéologie gallo-romaine et médiévale – Remains of the Gallo-Roman house, votive offerings from the Halatte forest, the bronze pedestal dedicated to Claudius and medieval sculptures.
• Peintures du XVIIe au XXe siècle – Works by Champaigne, Corot, Boudin and Thomas Couture, with an important holding of primitifs modernes and works by Séraphine Louis.

Operated by

Ville de Senlis

Visitors per year

approx. 18,156

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of each month (permanent collections); European Heritage Days, Museum Night and European Archaeology Days

Free admission upon proof, notably for residents of Senlis, recipients of social minimum benefits and job seekers, members of ICOM and ICOMOS, members of museum friends' associations and journalists. The Musée des Spahis, another museum in the town, is free.

Accessibility

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

A lift serves the different levels of the museum, and benches line the route. Reserved parking spaces are located on Place Notre-Dame, near the museum gate. Guide dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

The young audience programme includes workshop-visits, activities for young children, an escape game, activity booklets and online games.

Getting there & parking

By car from Paris (45 km) or Lille (175 km): motorway A1, exit 8 Senlis. Bus timetables are available on Oise mobilité.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop with books, maps, stationery, souvenirs and jewellery, open during the museum's hours.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit