Musée des Beaux-Arts de Draguignan

About the museum

The museum’s collections were formed from property confiscated during the Revolution, then from gifts from local notables who were as interested in archaeology, history and the natural sciences as in the fine arts. First called the municipal museum, then the museum of art and history, it remained the town’s only museum until the opening of the Museum of the Artillery in 1982 and the Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions in 1985.

Since 1888 it has occupied a building that was an Ursuline convent from 1628, then the summer residence of the bishop of Fréjus, Mgr du Bellay, and finally the home of the Latil family. The town has owned it since 1940. The rooms were renovated from 1975 to 1977.

A major renovation project began in 2018. The museum, renamed Musée des Beaux-Arts, reopened on November 16, 2023. It carries the Musée de France label. The permanent route presents more than 150 paintings, sculptures and decorative objects in rooms designed as “period rooms”, that is, ensembles that illustrate a theme in a given era.

Highlights

• More than 150 paintings, sculptures and decorative objects from the 17th to the 20th century
• Armour of François de Montmorency, one of the collection’s emblematic pieces
• Painting cabinet, Roman studio, Provençal cabinet and cabinet of curiosities
• Works by Panini, Teniers, Watteau and Camoin
• Panoramic wallpaper from the early 19th century, rediscovered in the former bishop’s palace

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours permanent des collections – A gallery from the 17th to the early 20th century on the ground floor, then upstairs the themed cabinets (duke’s cabinet, painting cabinet, Roman studio, salon, Provençal cabinet, cabinet of curiosities) and a gallery devoted to the history of Draguignan.

Operated by

Ville de Draguignan

Admission & discounts

Free admission: The first Sunday of each month, during evening openings between Christmas and New Year’s Day, and during national events (European Heritage Days, Museum Night …).

Also free for job seekers, recipients of social minimum benefits, friends of the museum, teachers, artists, journalists, tour guides and ICOM members. Accepted payment: cash and bank card. A collection guide is on sale for €12. Some shops in the town centre give 10% off on presentation of the museum ticket.

Accessibility

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

Exhibition and service areas are accessible by lift. A wheelchair and folding seats are available at reception. Tactile models of works with Braille text are installed in the rooms. Tablets present thirteen works in French Sign Language with subtitles. An induction loop is available at reception.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Visits and workshops for families are listed in the museum’s programme. For a birthday (from age 6, up to 12 children, 2 hours), the visit is followed by a workshop with a choice of two themes; parents bring the snacks.

Getting there & parking

The interactive map on the museum’s website shows the nearby car parks.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 90 guests.

Two spaces can be rented: the auditorium (62 seated, 90 standing, with projector and screen) and the museum courtyard, in the evening.

Plan your visit