Musée de Picardie

About the museum

The Musée de Picardie is the first building in France built specifically to be a museum. The project arose from a competition launched in 1853 by the Société des Antiquaires de Picardie; Napoleon III and the city provided the land. Henri Parent won the competition, and Arthur-Stanislas Diet completed the construction. The museum opened in 1864 under the name “Musée Napoléon”, deliberately evoking the new Louvre, with a route of more than 8,000 m².

In 1878, a “de-Napoleonisation” renamed it the Musée de Picardie. Its decoration celebrates the glories of the region: the painted ceiling by Félix Barrias in the Emperor’s salon, and the cycle of canvases by Pierre Puvis de Chavannes, including Concordia, Bellum and Ave Picardia Nutrix. Between 1870 and 1945, the collections were hidden or evacuated several times to protect them from war.

A major renovation from 2016 to 2019 enlarged and modernised the museum. The route runs from prehistory and antiquity to the Middle Ages, with works from Amiens Cathedral, then to European paintings and sculptures from the 16th to the 19th century, and to modern and contemporary art. It is managed by Amiens Métropole.

Highlights

• First building in France built specifically to be a museum
• Painted cycle by Puvis de Chavannes
• The Lady of Amiens-Renancourt and the Egyptian coffin of Setjaimengaou
• Medieval sculptures and objets d’art from Amiens Cathedral
• Fragonard’s “Le Berceau” and a portrait of a man by El Greco
• Sol LeWitt’s Wall Drawing No. 711 and a portrait by Francis Bacon

Permanent exhibition

• Collections permanentes – Archaeology from prehistory to Roman Gaul, Egypt, Greece and Rome, medieval sculptures, European paintings from the 16th to 19th century, and modern and contemporary art.

Founded

1867

Operated by

Amiens Métropole

Visitors per year

approx. 1,776

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of each month; Museum Night (Nuit des musées), Heritage Days (Journées du patrimoine) and other national or local events.

The reduced rate of €5 is also granted on presentation of a TER train ticket. Also free with proof: subscribers, friends of the Amiens museums, tour guides, teachers preparing a visit, holders of the Pass Éducation nationale and Universités, holders of the Ministry of Culture professional card, members of ICOM or ICOMOS, and journalists.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Since its renovation work from 2016 to 2019, the museum presents itself as renovated and accessible to all. Dogs accompanying visitors with disabilities are admitted on prior request at reception.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Workshops are offered for children under 16, and entry is free for under 26s.

Getting there & parking

From Amiens station, the museum is a 15-minute walk away, passing the Maison de Jules Verne. By car: A16 (1 h 15 min from Paris), A29 (1 h from Rouen), A1 (2 h from Lille).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Bookshop and shop. Free cloakroom; suitcases and large bags are not accepted in the galleries.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit