Musée de Cahors Henri-Martin
Municipal museum of Cahors in a former episcopal mansion: archaeology, ethnography, history and art, with a major collection by Henri Martin.
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About the museum
The museum was founded in 1833 to house natural history objects and antiquities useful to the history of the Quercy. It was first a departmental museum and became municipal in 1841.
The building developed in stages. In 1802–1803 the town acquired a house with a garden, parts of which may date back to the 15th century. The bishops of the 19th century enlarged and reorganised the complex, and the architect Charles Hector Malo extended the main body southwards from 1843. The extension on the garden side, carried out between 1868 and 1896, abandoned the neoclassical style of the first works.
In the 20th century the museum initially occupied only the central part of the building, the other wings being allocated to other local institutions. Renovation works continued until 1962–1963. The arrival of works by the painter Henri Martin in 1970 opened a new phase: a top-lit room was built to house the triptych “Le Monument aux Morts”, and the museum has since borne the artist’s name.
The collections comprise about 10,000 objects and documents, covering archaeology, non-European ethnography, history, art history and contemporary art.
Highlights
- Works by the neo-Impressionist painter Henri Martin
- Triptych “Le Monument aux Morts” in a top-lit room
- Collections of ancient and medieval archaeology, from the Gallo-Roman Divona to the present day
- Ethnographic collection, notably from Oceania
- Mosaic from Granéjouls
- Founded
- 1833
- Operated by
- Ville de Cahors
- Visitors per year
- approx. 13,404
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €9 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5Holders of the Grand Pass, holders of a LiO train ticket, students of art, archaeology, museology, ethnology or DNMADE, large families, teachers, members of Gîtes de France (proof required) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free entry for under-18s. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €6 per personPrice per person for adult groups of 10 or more. |
| Last-hour rate | €2 |
| Adult annual pass | €21 |
Free admission: The first Sunday of every month; Museum Night, Archaeology Days and Heritage Days
Entry is also free for recipients of minimum social benefits and for people on the French civic service (service civique).
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials
- Audio description: no information
Accessible lift and adapted toilets. Eight captions and an easy-read booklet (FALC) are available in the rooms or online. Seating is available for resting.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
Family tours and creative workshops for 8–15-year-olds are on the programme. For leisure centres: the game tour “À la recherche des animaux” (6–11 years, 1 hour) and the sensory tour “Les 5 sens en éveil” (3–6 and 6–11 years). Pushchairs are welcome and baby changing tables are provided.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Coat check
- Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi. Free secure cloakroom for bags and coats.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Short discovery tours of the collections, such as “Le Musée de midi” (20-minute tour on Fridays at 12:30). Group, school and leisure-centre visits must be booked in advance, with free or guided visits and game-based tours for children. |
