Musée d'art contemporain de la Haute-Vienne – Château de Rochechouart

About the museum

The Château de Rochechouart stands on a rare geological site, a crater caused by a meteorite that fell around 210 million years ago; rocks altered by the impact were used in its construction. The present buildings date mostly from the 15th century, while the entrance turret (châtelet) and the keep (donjon) go back to the 13th century. After the Revolution, the Rochechouart family sold it in 1836 to the Haute-Vienne department, which used it for various administrative services.

In 1985 the department founded the departmental museum of contemporary art here, recognised as a Musée de France. The collection, which now numbers more than 1,300 works by international artists, is organised around three themes: history, landscape and the imaginary. From the outset, permanent works were commissioned from artists such as Giuseppe Penone and Richard Long. An important holding is devoted to Raoul Hausmann, the Dada artist who lived in the Limousin until his death in 1971.

A renovation completed in 2001 enlarged the spaces and made the entire building accessible to people with reduced mobility. The museum now has more than 1,500 m² of exhibition space on three levels, between white cubes and historic rooms such as the tower or the attic.

Highlights

• Collection of more than 1,300 works by international artists
• Raoul Hausmann fonds, a pioneer of photomontage
• Site-specific works by Giuseppe Penone and Richard Long
• 13th- to 15th-century château built on a meteorite crater
• Free admission on the first Sunday of the month, except in July and August

Permanent exhibitions

• Collection d'art contemporain – More than 1,300 works by international artists, organised around history, landscape and the imaginary.
• Fonds Raoul Hausmann – Space devoted to the Dada artist Raoul Hausmann, a pioneer of photomontage and sound poetry, who found refuge in the Limousin.
• Œuvres in situ – Permanent works created for the château by invited artists, including Giuseppe Penone and Richard Long.

Founded

1985

Operated by

Département de la Haute-Vienne

Visitors per year

approx. 16,467

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of every month except July and August; “La Culture au grand jour” (April); European Museum Night (May); European Heritage Days (September)

Also free for job seekers and RSA recipients, teachers preparing an educational project, holders of the ICOM card, the press, artists in the collection and lenders. Workshop-visits for individuals or families by reservation (for example €4.60 for an adult in a discovery workshop).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• 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
• Audio description: no information

Since the 2001 renovation, the entire building has been accessible to people with reduced mobility. Walking-stick seats are available. Personalised welcome by appointment. Free brochure in easy-to-read and easy-to-understand language (FALC – Facile à lire et à comprendre). Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Youth booklet for ages 6–12 during school holidays, ZIGZAG treasure hunt for ages 6–12, discovery workshop from age 4, and a programme for toddlers aged 1 to 3. The workshop area is open during the holidays.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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