Musée du Prieuré – Jean Laronze

About the museum

The collection began in 1933, when the painter Jean Laronze donated works to the town of Charolles. The Musée Jean Laronze opened on September 1, 1933, in the salle du Bailliage, with René Davoine as curator until 1962. It then closed to the public, and its collections were moved in the mid-1980s to the former Convent of the Poor Clares, where the museum remained largely closed until 1994.

In 1994, the municipal collections, enriched by gifts and bequests to the town and to the Association des Amis du Prieuré, were transferred to the former Priory of La Madeleine; the museum opened on July 2, 1994, under the name Musée du Prieuré. In 2001 the association donated its collection to the town, and the museum became fully municipal. Most of René Davoine's sculptures were installed in the priory chapel in 2005, and the museum received the “Musée de France” label.

The building is a former Cluniac priory whose remains date from the 12th to the 16th century. Its representative hall, the 15th- and 16th-century chapter house, restored in 2003, and the room with the Cluniac capitals are protected as historic monuments; an archaeological area was excavated in 2004–2005. The route brings together Charolles faience, produced since 1844, the landscapes of Jean Laronze and Paul-Louis Nigaud, and the work of the Charolais sculptor René Davoine.

Highlights

• Room devoted to Charolles faience, produced since 1844, with a film on its manufacture
• Landscapes by Jean Laronze and Paul-Louis Nigaud
• Sculptures by the Charolais artist René Davoine in the former chapel
• Representative hall and Cluniac capitals of a former priory
• Family treasure hunt “La légende du Prieuré”

Permanent exhibitions

• Faïence de Charolles – Room showing the production of the Charolles faience works since 1844, from its founders to current production, with a film on the techniques.
• Peintures de Jean Laronze et Paul-Louis Nigaud – Landscapes of the Charolais by Jean Laronze (1852–1937) and paintings by Paul-Louis Nigaud (1895–1937).
• Sculptures de René Davoine – Works by the Charolais sculptor René Davoine (1888–1962), displayed in the former 19th-century chapel.

Founded

1933

Operated by

Ville de Charolles

Admission & discounts

Prices as listed on the Destination Saône-et-Loire page (updated January 2026).

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Family treasure hunt “La légende du Prieuré” (offered by Aventures Mômes): visitors must find seven keys hidden in the rooms to open a rose window. “C'est toi l'artiste !” workshops in July and August for ages 4 to 12 (one hour tour followed by one hour of hands-on activity), with a children's area at reception.

Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop and restrooms on site; animals permitted under certain conditions.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit