Musée de la Société archéologique d'Avesnes-sur-Helpe
Private museum of the Société archéologique d'Avesnes, housed in the Institut Villien, with regional archaeology, sculptures and manuscripts from Liessies.
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About the museum
The museum is housed in the Institut Villien, a Louis XIII-style mansion built in 1869, bequeathed to the town by Colonel Villien and shared with the municipal library. It belongs to the Société archéologique et historique de l'arrondissement d'Avesnes, which has been based there since 1870.
The collections began to be assembled as early as 1851 from objects found in regional excavations (Bavay, Ferrière, Saint-Hilaire, Fuchau). They come mainly from donations by members of the society and from purchases.
The museum holds a collection belonging to the Egyptologist and orientalist Prisse d'Avesnes, a local collection on the Avesnois, Gallo-Roman, Merovingian and medieval archaeological collections, 15th- and 16th-century sculptures, illuminated manuscripts from the Abbey of Liessies, folk arts, and mineralogical and paleontological collections. An extension is planned to display all the holdings.
Highlights
- Collection of Prisse d'Avesnes, Egyptologist and orientalist
- Gallo-Roman, Merovingian and medieval archaeology
- Illuminated manuscripts from the Abbey of Liessies
- 15th- and 16th-century sculptures
- Gaulish coins and bronze statuettes
Permanent exhibitions
- Archéologie de l'Avesnois – Objects from regional excavations: Gaulish coins, Gallo-Roman and so-called barbarian jewelry, bronze statuettes.
- Fonds Prisse d'Avesnes – Collection of the Egyptologist and orientalist Prisse d'Avesnes.
- Histoire locale, sculptures et manuscrits – 15th- and 16th-century sculptures, local history objects and illuminated manuscripts from the Abbey of Liessies.
- Founded
- 1851
- Operated by
- Société archéologique et historique de l'arrondissement d'Avesnes
Admission & discounts
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Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours, school groups and lecture tours on request to the Société archéologique. |
