Musée du cloître de Notre-Dame-en-Vaux
Museum of medieval sacred art near the Notre-Dame-en-Vaux collegiate church, displaying the column statues and capitals of its 12th-century cloister.
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About the museum
The cloister of the Notre-Dame-en-Vaux collegiate church was built north of the church in the 1170s, when the community of canons had considerable resources thanks to pilgrims' donations. It was destroyed in 1759 and 1766 and then remained forgotten for about two centuries.
Archaeological excavations begun in 1963 under the direction of Léon Pressouyre recovered a large part of its sculpted elements. These discoveries led to the creation of the museum, which opened in 1978 on the quai Notre-Dame.
The museum is now a municipal museum devoted to medieval sacred art. It displays the column statues of the cloister, historiated and decorative capitals, columns and cornices, as well as a 16th-century polychrome Pietà. Between the museum and the church, a garden recalls the former cloister. The neighboring collegiate church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Highlights
- 12th-century column statues from the cloister
- Historiated and decorative capitals
- 16th-century polychrome Pietà
- Medieval garden between the museum and the collegiate church
- Founded
- 1978
- Operated by
- Ville de Châlons-en-Champagne
- Visitors per year
- approx. 3,058 (2019)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3 |
| Guided tour | €3 |
| Activity for children | €3 |
| Activity for adults | €4 |
| Family (up to 2 adults and 2 children), activities | €7 |
Free admission: First Sunday of each month (free access to all three municipal museums)
Full and reduced rates correspond to the 15-day pass valid for the three municipal museums of Châlons-en-Champagne. Free admission exists under conditions not specified by the city.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The city offers an assistance service for hard-of-hearing visitors; no other accessibility information is published on the museum page.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 60 min |
|---|
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
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Self-guided visit or guided visit with a mediator. Groups of 10 to 25 people book at least 15 days in advance by phone or email with the education department. |
