Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Provence

About the museum

The museum occupies the Hôtel de Clapiers-Cabris, an 18th-century mansion built at the foot of Grasse's ramparts for an old Provençal noble family. The architect Jean Orello, of Milanese origin, designed it with a flat roof and a colourful façade in the Italian style, plus a more classical south façade, while the layout of the rooms remains Provençal. The building was left unfinished and was abandoned around 1776.

During the Revolution the family fled to Italy, and a revolutionary national library was set up in the house. In 1813 the perfumers Bruery brothers bought the building to live and produce there; their activity transformed it profoundly. At the end of the 19th century the mansion became residential housing and underwent further alterations.

In 1918 François Carnot, who had married a daughter of the perfume manufacturer Chiris, brought the place back to life. Thanks to a public subscription, he founded the Musée Fragonard in 1921, which has since become the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Provence. A society of friends of the museum owns the collections; the building has belonged to the City of Grasse since 1952.

The collections combine regional archaeology, arts and folk traditions, paintings, sculptures, furniture, ceramics, glassware, textiles, jewellery and weapons. They are displayed across three levels opening south onto the garden.

Highlights

• Original Provençal kitchen on the garden level
• Reception rooms and apartments with Provençal walnut furniture
• Provençal costumes of the 18th and 19th centuries
• 18th-century bathroom with a wheeled zinc bathtub
• Garden with roses, a lemon tree and a magnolia

Permanent exhibition

• Collections permanentes – Everyday life in eastern Provence from prehistory onward, with reconstructed kitchens and reception rooms, costumes, and fine and decorative arts from the 17th to the mid-20th century.

Founded

1921

Operated by

Communauté d'agglomération du Pays de Grasse (bâtiment propriété de la Ville de Grasse)

Visitors per year

approx. 24,174

Admission & discounts

The admission ticket also gives access to the Villa-Musée Jean-Honoré Fragonard. Also free for job seekers. Payment in cash, by cheque, bank card, Pass Culture or Côte d'Azur Card.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The education service offers workshops for children and families, including online tutorials, as well as activities for school groups.

Getting there & parking

Address: 2 rue Mirabeau, 06130 Grasse.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The venue hire page is currently being updated; contact for private hire: 04 97 05 58 13.

Plan your visit