Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nîmes

About the museum

The first museum in Nîmes was founded in 1821 in the Maison Carrée, where it brought together ancient works as well as old and contemporary paintings and sculptures. When it became too small, an architectural competition was held in 1902, won by the Nîmes architect Maximilien Raphel.

The present building, erected between 1903 and 1907 in the Square de la Mandragore, a few steps from the arena, is organised around a covered atrium with a glass roof. A monumental staircase leads to a double circuit of galleries on the ground floor and the upper floor. In 1987 the architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte renovated the museum in keeping with the spirit of 19th-century museums.

The collection grew over time through purchases, gifts and bequests. It comprises about 3,800 works, mainly paintings and works on paper, with Italian, Nordic and French schools from the 15th to the 17th century, a rich group of French 19th-century works and regional works of the 20th century. In the atrium one can see a cycle by Charles-Joseph Natoire on Marc-Antoine et Cléopâtre, and a large Roman mosaic, “Les noces d'Admète”.

Highlights

• Painting cycle by Charles-Joseph Natoire on Marc-Antoine et Cléopâtre
• Large Roman mosaic “Les noces d'Admète” in the atrium
• Portrait of Lucrèce Borgia by Bartolomeo Veneto
• Still life with a glass by Cornelis de Heem
• Monumental statues by Henri Bouchard at the entrance

Permanent exhibitions

• Collections permanentes de peinture – Paintings and works on paper from the Italian, Nordic and French schools from the 15th to the 20th century, with a renewed display.
• Atrium : cycle Natoire et mosaïque romaine – Three large paintings by Charles-Joseph Natoire and the mosaic “Les noces d'Admète” occupy the central part of the atrium.

Founded

1821

Operated by

Ville de Nîmes

Director

Pascal Trarieux

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free on the first Sunday of every month and at European, national and local events in which the museum takes part (for example the European Museum Night and the European Heritage Days)

The prices apply to the permanent and temporary exhibitions. Admission is also free, on proof, for job seekers, recipients of minimum social benefits, artists and authors, journalists, holders of the Ministry of Culture card or the ICOM card, holders of the Pass Sénior of the CCAS de Nîmes, tour guides and certain school groups. Payment by cash or bank card.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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 states that it is accessible to people with disabilities, with a lift to the upper floor and meets the standards for reduced mobility. An induction loop is lent to hard-of-hearing visitors. QR codes allow visitors to listen to and read information about the works, and booklets are available. An adapted tour can be arranged on request, at least one month in advance. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Free game booklets, colouring pages and recipe sheets to discover the collections on site or at home, as well as visit aids for children. Workshops for children cost €5. Free admission for under-26s.

Getting there & parking

The museum is 100 metres from the arena, in the Square de la Mandragore.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check
• Lockers

Free lockers for personal belongings (a €1 coin to be inserted). Folding stools are lent at the reception desk. Eating and drinking are forbidden in the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit