Musée départemental d'art religieux de Sées

About the museum

The museum grew out of a 1964 exhibition titled “Huit siècles d'art sacré dans l'Orne” (“Eight centuries of sacred art in the Orne”). It opened in 1972 in the canons' precinct of Sées Cathedral, in a 14th-century canons' house remodeled in the 17th century. It holds the “Musée de France” label and belongs to the Orne Department.

The core of the collections comes from the diocesan museum, which grew out of Abbé Goblet's collection and was enriched by loans from the clergy. In 1969, this holding comprised 35 paintings, 21 sculptures, 52 pieces of goldsmith work and more than 200 ornaments and miscellaneous objects. A second group of about fifty works was deposited by the Société historique et archéologique de l'Orne; it includes one of the two Romanesque Virgin statues conserved in the department. Deposits from municipalities, gifts, bequests and purchases completed the ensemble.

The route presents paintings, sculptures, goldsmith work, furniture and liturgical textiles from the Romanesque period to the present day, tracing the evolution of religious sentiment over the centuries. More than 1,000 works can also be viewed online on the museum's website, including 300 available as 3D models.

Highlights

• Silver reliquary shrines from the former Abbey of Saint-Évroult (12th century)
• Liturgical ivory comb of Saint Thomas Becket (12th century)
• The Carrouges chasuble, in embroidered silk and velvet (15th and 17th centuries)
• Glass chalice and ciborium used for clandestine worship during the Revolution
• More than 1,000 works available online, 300 in 3D

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours d'art religieux ornais – Paintings, sculptures, goldsmith work, woodwork and liturgical textiles from the Romanesque period to the present day, illustrating the religious history of the Orne.

Founded

1972

Operated by

Département de l'Orne

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission. Free guided tour available on request at the reception desk. Group conditions are provided on request.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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