Musée des Moulages
A unique university museum in France, founded in 1890, with plaster casts of ancient and medieval sculptures and original ancient objects.
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About the museum
The museum opened on May 23, 1890, to mark the 600th anniversary of the University of Montpellier. It was meant to preserve and display the study collections used to teach archaeology: plaster casts of sculptures, original ancient objects and a photographic collection. It was first housed in the Palais de l’Université, seat of the Faculty of Letters (faculté des Lettres).
The 1904 purchase of the cast collection of Canon Didelot of Valence broadened the periods covered and added medieval art. The museum followed the faculty’s moves and, in the 1960s, was installed in a building designed for it in the heart of the Paul-Valéry University campus. It was renovated between 2009 and 2015.
The cast collection is listed as a historic monument (monument historique), and today it is the only museum of its kind in France still operating within a university setting. The collections include ancient and medieval casts, original ancient objects and a photographic collection. The museum also organizes exhibitions, lectures and cultural events.
Highlights
- Plaster casts of ancient sculptures
- Casts of medieval art from the Canon Didelot collection
- Original ancient objects and photographic collection
- Listed collection in a university museum unique in France
Permanent exhibitions
- Moulages antiques – Plaster casts of ancient sculptures, kept for teaching archaeology and art history.
- Moulages médiévaux – Casts of medieval art, mainly from the Canon Didelot collection purchased in 1904.
- Objets originaux antiques – A few authentic ancient objects, shown alongside the casts and the photographic collection.
- Founded
- 1890
- Operated by
- Université de Montpellier Paul-Valéry
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for visitors under 18 with proof. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree admission for visitors with disabilities with proof. |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree admission for students with proof. |
| Groups | €5 per personGuided tour price per person; free for primary and secondary school groups. Outside higher-education institutions pay €2 per student for a guided tour given by museum staff. |
| Guided tour (booked by email) | €5Flat rate per person, from 10:00 to 12:00, Tuesday to Friday. |
Single admission price of €3 for self-guided visits. Free admission also for university staff, recipients of minimum social benefits (minima sociaux) and job seekers with proof, as well as for curators, members of ICOM or ICOMOS, and journalists.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Université Paul-Valéry · 300 m
Tram, stop Université Paul-Valéry.
The museum is at the entrance to the Paul-Valéry University campus, route de Mende.
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 | Guided tours (€5) are booked by email at least 10 days in advance. An outside guide may lead a group of up to 15 people for an extra €25. |
