Musée des Beaux-Arts de Carcassonne
Painting and art museum in the former Présidial of Carcassonne, with ten rooms of collections from the 16th century to today, free admission.
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About the museum
In 1836 a group of Carcassonne residents passionate about art, history and archaeology set up an arts and sciences commission to found a museum. From 1845 it could show the public a collection of 102 paintings. At the end of the 19th century the museum moved permanently into the former Présidial, opposite Square Gambetta, where it still is. It holds the “Musée de France” label.
The collections grew thanks to long-term loans from the Louvre and the State, and above all through donors such as Casimir Courtejaire, Alphonse Coste-Reboulh, Chénier and Raynaud, and Delteil, Pla and Cahuzac. Since 1982 the Regional Acquisitions Fund for Museums (FRAM) and gifts from the Friends of the Museum have further enriched the holdings.
The route includes ten rooms. Western painting from the 17th to the 20th century is on display, with artists such as Perrier, Lanfranco, Van Goyen, Teniers, Rigaud, Chardin, Corot, Courbet and Marquet. Works from the second half of the 20th century and the 21st century are represented, for example by Morellet, Klasen and Poliakoff. A fine collection of old faience and porcelain, notably from Moustiers and Marseille, completes the visit.
On the second floor, a space is reserved for temporary exhibitions. The museum also runs a cycle of art history lectures and welcomes around 4,000 pupils a year.
Highlights
- Ten rooms of painting from the 16th century to today
- Works by Chardin, Corot, Courbet and Marquet
- Gamelin collection and a room devoted to André Chénier and Fabre d’Églantine
- Collection of southern French faience, including pieces from Moustiers and Marseille
- Contemporary art with Morellet, Klasen and Poliakoff
Permanent exhibition
- Collections permanentes – Ten rooms with European painting from the 16th to the 21st century, faience and art objects.
- Founded
- 1856
- Operated by
- Ville de Carcassonne
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission.
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 is housed in the former Présidial, opposite Square Gambetta in the lower town of Carcassonne.
Get directionsAmenities & 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
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Before any group visit, whether self-guided or guided, the museum must be contacted in writing to check the availability of time slots. The education department offers tours and art workshops for school groups. A cycle of art history lectures takes place during the year. |
