Musée du palais des Évêques

About the museum

Perched on the heights of Saint-Lizier, the bishops' palace was built and embellished from the 11th to the 18th century by the bishops of the Couserans, who also had the Notre-Dame-de-la-Sède cathedral built. Around 1808, the former palace became a poorhouse (dépôt de mendicité), and later the psychiatric hospital of Saint-Lizier.

Today the site houses the collections of the Musée départemental de l'Ariège. The route begins in antiquity, with archaeological remains found on site, such as amphorae and ceramics, as well as the Saint-Girons coin hoard, made up of 13,000 coins. A facsimile helps visitors understand the ancient rampart of the town.

The floors above present the construction of the palace and the town, with models and tactile displays. One level is devoted to the cathedral, often called the “Sistine Chapel of the Ariège” for its Renaissance wall paintings, and tells the story of their discovery and restoration. The visit also evokes the people of the Bethmale valley in the 19th century, with costumes and clogs from the Bégouën collection, and a room devoted to the palace's psychiatric past.

Highlights

• Notre-Dame-de-la-Sède cathedral and its Renaissance paintings
• Saint-Girons coin hoard (13,000 coins)
• Ancient archaeological finds and facsimile of the rampart
• Costumes and clogs from the Bethmale valley
• Room on the palace's psychiatric past
• Terraces with views of the Pyrenees

Permanent exhibitions

• Parcours muséographique, de l'Antiquité à nos jours – Ancient remains, models of the town and palace, and objects from the history of the Couserans.
• La cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-la-Sède – Presentation of the Renaissance paintings, their discovery and their restoration.
• Le passé psychiatrique du palais – Room set in the former isolation cells, evoking the daily life of patients in the psychiatric hospital.

Operated by

Sites Touristiques Ariège

Admission & discounts

Guided tours are included in the admission ticket. The companion of a person in a wheelchair enters free of charge. Payment methods: cash, cheque (with ID), bank card and holiday vouchers (chèques-vacances). Online ticketing is available at all times.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The website states that the site is not accessible to people with motor disabilities. Some areas are difficult to reach. Tactile devices are integrated into the route.

Kids & families

• Hands-on stations

A modern and playful route with interactive and tactile devices, including an interactive table where children can play at being explorers and restorers. Family pass: €28.

Getting there & parking

The palace is located on Route de Montjoie, on the heights of Saint-Lizier.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The shop opens at the same times as the palace.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit