Musée d'art et d'histoire Saint-Léger

About the museum

The museum occupies the former abbey of Saint-Léger, named after Léger of Autun, who was martyred in the 7th century. Founded in 1139, it first housed a community of regular canons, then a brewery at the end of the 18th century, and a minor seminary (petit séminaire) in the following century. The Musée de la Ville moved in at the beginning of the 20th century.

The municipal collections include paintings, sculptures, the treasure of Soissons Cathedral and rich archaeological holdings. They favor works by artists who worked in the region and pieces that complete existing groups; the collections grow through purchases and donations.

A new display of the art and history collections, covering 1200 to 1945, fills the entire second floor. It includes a section from 1200 to 1800, with medieval sculptures from the Soissonnais, and a section from 1800 to 1945, which displays busts and sculptures by Hiolin and Doublemard. It gives pride of place to local artists, saints and legendary kings, regional crafts (the Sinceny faience workshops, Soissons goldsmithing) and the Soissons School of Drawing, founded in 1782. A collection guide was published for the occasion.

Highlights

• Reliquary-plan of Soissons, from the cathedral treasure
• Venus of Maizy, a Neolithic terracotta figurine
• Tympanum of Braine (1205) and medieval sculptures from the Soissonnais
• Paintings by Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini, Boudin and Daumier
• Busts and sculptures by Hiolin and Doublemard
• Former Saint-Léger abbey, founded in 1139

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours des collections d'art et d'histoire, 1200-1945 – The second floor presents two sections, from 1200 to 1800 and from 1800 to 1945, with medieval sculptures, paintings, works by artists from the Soissonnais and pieces from the cathedral treasure.

Operated by

Ville de Soissons

Visitors per year

approx. 38,821

Admission & discounts

Free admission: The first Sunday of every month, for everyone

The single ticket gives access to one site; the combined ticket gives access to the museums of Soissons. Concessions are granted on presentation of proof. Only cash and cheques are accepted; bank cards cannot be used.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• 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

The museum is housed in a 12th-century abbey with no elevator; access through the cloister is not suitable for visitors with reduced mobility. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

According to the museum, children are welcome from a very young age. Strollers can be left at reception.

Getting there & parking

Access to the museum is through the cloister of the former abbey.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Coat check
• Lockers

Free lockers are available for personal belongings, subject to availability. There is no restaurant and no food sales. Toilets on the first floor, near reception.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit