Musée de Cambrai

About the museum

The museum grew out of works seized during the Revolution and opened to the public in the mid-19th century, first in the Salle des Halles. Since 1893 it has been housed in the Hôtel de Francqueville, an 18th-century townhouse built around 1719–1720.

In 1918 a bombardment damaged the building and destroyed more than two hundred works; the museum did not fully reopen until 1933. During the Second World War the collections were sheltered. Between 1989 and 1994 the building was restored and extended with contemporary architecture.

The collections, displayed on four levels, span from prehistory to the 21st century. They include an archaeology department, a route on the history of Cambrai with a 1711 relief model of the city, sculptures from the former cathedral, and a fine arts section enriched by major donations of geometric abstract art. The museum is run by the City of Cambrai and holds the “Musée de France” label.

Highlights

• Alabaster sculptures from the former cathedral of Cambrai, including a Saint Sebastian from the late 16th century
• Relief model of the city of Cambrai from 1711 and an audiovisual show on its history
• Paintings from the Low Countries and works from the 19th and 20th centuries (Ingres, Boudin, Valadon, Utrillo, Van Dongen)
• Geometric abstraction rooms featuring gifts from André Le Bozec and Eva-Maria Fruhtrunk
• Procession cart of the canonesses of Maubeuge, a rare piece in French collections

Permanent exhibitions

• Archéologie – A route from prehistory through Gallo-Roman and medieval archaeology of northern France, with a section on osteoarchaeology.
• Patrimoine de Cambrai – The city's history, with a 1711 relief model, an audiovisual show and sculptures from the former cathedral.
• Beaux-Arts – Paintings from the Low Countries, works from the 19th and 20th centuries, modern art and three rooms of geometric abstraction.

Founded

1846

Operated by

Ville de Cambrai

Director

Franck de Frias

Visitors per year

approx. 10,723 (2019)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Individual admission, including the exhibitions, is free. Guided tours for adult groups and associations are paid (€66 for 1 hour or €94 for 2 hours, plus €3 per person); social organizations are welcome free of charge.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• 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

An elevator serves all permanent and temporary exhibitions, including for wheelchairs, walkers and strollers.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly

Regular workshops are offered to both children and adults; nurseries and early-childhood facilities receive free workshops.

Getting there & parking

From Lille: about 1 hour via the A1, then the A26/E17, exit 14; from Paris: about 2 hours via the A1, exit 14. By train: 1 hour from Lille, 2 hours from Paris-Nord.

Amenities & 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