Musée Fenaille

About the museum

The museum was founded in 1837 by scholars and notables of the Aveyron, who came together in the Société des lettres, sciences et arts de l’Aveyron. Its members gathered evidence of human activity and of nature, and the collections grew through gifts. The museum very soon sought premises of its own.

In 1929, the patron Maurice Fenaille gave the Society the Hôtel de Jouéry, a former town house in the historic center of Rodez. The property combined two neighboring buildings from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The new museum opened in 1937 and took the name of its benefactor. Maurice Fenaille was a pioneer of the oil industry and a keen art lover.

Over nearly 160 years, more than a thousand donors built up the collection of some 25,000 pieces. In 1992, a major renovation included two neighboring buildings and quadrupled the exhibition space. Management then passed to the Communauté d’agglomération du Grand Rodez, and the museum reopened to the public in 2002 after ten years of work.

The route, spread over three levels, presents the archaeology, art and history of the Rouergue from the first traces of humans, nearly 300,000 years ago, up to the dawn of the 17th century. It includes the most important collection of statue-menhirs in Europe: 21 monuments, 17 of which are on display.

Highlights

• The largest collection of statue-menhirs in Europe, including the Dame de Saint-Sernin
• Renaissance courtyard of the Hôtel de Jouéry, a historic monument
• Gallo-Roman and medieval collections of the Rouergue
• Visit routes to follow with your smartphone
• Combined admission with the Musée Soulages

Permanent exhibitions

• Collection de statues-menhirs – Europe’s largest collection: 21 monuments, 17 of them presented in a dedicated room, erected around the 3rd millennium BCE.
• Archéologie, art et histoire du Rouergue – Route over three levels, from prehistory to the Renaissance, with Gallo-Roman and medieval objects.

Founded

1837

Operated by

Rodez agglomération

Admission & discounts

Free admission: The first Sunday of the month, from November to April

The ticket gives access to the Fenaille and Soulages museums; it is valid for 28 days, for one visit to each museum, and admission to the Musée Denys-Puech is free. Also free for job seekers, RSA recipients, minimum old-age pension (minimum vieillesse) recipients, holders of a press card, an ICOM card or the Carte Culture, staff of French museums, among others (with proof).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• 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

About 85% of the museum’s spaces are accessible by elevator. Parking spaces for people with reduced mobility are on Place Eugène-Raynaldy, opposite the museum.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

A playful booklet, “À la découverte du musée Fenaille avec Silex et Menhir”, is given free to families with children aged 6 to 10. Visit-workshops for children and families take place during school holidays and on other dates.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the historic center of Rodez, on Place Eugène-Raynaldy.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Bookshop with art books, postcards, souvenirs and children’s books.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 74 guests.

The 74-seat auditorium can be made available to associations and companies for cultural or professional events.

Plan your visit