Musée de la faïence et des beaux-arts

About the museum

The first municipal museum in Nevers opened in 1844 in the municipal library, on the initiative of mayor Jean Desveaux. In 1847, the collector Jacques Gallois sold his collection to the town for a token sum. In 1907, the patron Frédéric Blandin, who had links to the town’s faience factories, financed the purchase of the former bishop’s residence to house the museum, which then took its name. After the Second World War, the collections were dispersed and later moved to the Hôtel de Vertpré.

In 1975, the museum moved into the Hôtel Roussignhol, built in 1810 on the remains of the Notre-Dame abbey, in the heart of the faience makers’ quarter. Between 2003 and 2013, the buildings were transformed by a contemporary extension combining stone and wood. In September 2013, the museum reopened under the name musée de la Faïence et des Beaux-Arts. It holds the “Musée de France” label.

The collections show Nevers faience, which emerged in the 16th century with Italian craftsmen, notably through the Montagnon collection acquired since 2017. They also include figurines in enameled glass, a technique that also originated in Nevers at the same time, and French paintings from the 17th to the 20th century, including works by Vlaminck, Valadon, Utrillo and Picabia and by artists from Nevers.

Highlights

• Nevers faience from the 17th to the 19th century, including the Montagnon collection
• Enameled glass from the Loynel d’Estrie collection, on loan from the Louvre
• Technical room on how faience is made
• Paintings by Vlaminck, Valadon, Utrillo and Picabia
• Bossuat bequest (1935): modern painting, Art Nouveau and the École de Paris
• Multi-level gardens with themed flower beds

Permanent exhibitions

• Les faïences de Nevers – Two galleries trace the history of Nevers faience, from the golden age of the 17th and 18th centuries to the patriotic and prize-winning pieces of the 19th century.
• Les verres émaillés – Enameled glass figurines and decorated boxes, a meticulous technique that emerged in Nevers in the 16th century, mainly from the Loynel d’Estrie collection.
• Les beaux-arts – French painting from the 17th to the 20th century, with Vlaminck, Valadon, Utrillo, Picabia, artists from Nevers and the Bossuat bequest.

Founded

1844

Operated by

Ville de Nevers

Visitors per year

approx. 20,407

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month; first Friday of the month from 18:00 to 21:00; Museum Night, Rendez-vous aux jardins, European Days of Architecture, Archaeology and Heritage

The ground-floor areas (Micro-Folie, gardens, temporary exhibitions) are always free for everyone. Admission is also free for culture professionals, teachers (Pass Éducation), journalists and members of the museum’s Friends association.

Accessibility

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

Visitors with reduced mobility enter through the gardens (gate near the Saint-Genest church). Two spaces are reserved on rue Saint-Genest, near the entrance to the gardens.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

During school holidays, workshops for ages 6 to 12 (terracotta, drawing, painting with natural pigments) are run by heritage mediators, by registration.

Getting there & parking

On foot via rue Saint-Genest (forecourt or gardens) or via the promenade des Remparts.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The reception area has a terrace where you can have a hot or cold drink, and a shop with a bookshop (postcards, catalogues, faience objects, jewelry).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties: not available
• Corporate events

Up to 90 guests.

Hire of the museum garden, the Jean-Pierre Harris room (up to 90 people) or the entire site, reserved for associations, local authorities, public bodies, companies and works councils (€500 for the garden or the room, €3,000 for the entire site).

Plan your visit