Musée Hyacinthe-Rigaud

About the museum

The Perpignan fine arts museum opened in 1833 in the former university, with collections drawn mainly from gifts by private individuals. In 1908 the Friends of the Museum association was founded and obtained many deposits from the State. After a brief Musée du Roussillon in the Hôtel Pams in 1949, the Musée Hyacinthe Rigaud was inaugurated in 1953 with a modern presentation. It received on deposit the Autoportrait au turban by the Perpignan painter, today one of its key works, and acquired his Saint Pierre in 1996 through a public subscription.

The university building became too small. In 1979 the city of Perpignan decided to move the museum to the Hôtel de Lazerme, on Rue de l’Ange, which it had just purchased. The bequest of Maître Rey, with 211 small-format works in 1994, and the donation of Pierre Daura, which made it possible to open new rooms on the second floor in 2001, enriched the collections. Temporary exhibitions resumed in 2009.

The latest renovation extended the museum into the Hôtel de Mailly and returned the south part of the Hôtel de Lazerme to the route, with the hanging garden, the façade and the second-floor apartment where Picasso stayed. The collections are presented in four sections: Gothic, Baroque, Modern and Contemporary Perpignan.

Highlights

• Portrait de la famille Le Juge by Hyacinthe Rigaud, 1706
• Catalan Gothic altarpieces, including a Couronnement de la Vierge
• Works by Aristide Maillol, Raoul Dufy and Étienne Terrus
• The room devoted to Antoni Clavé and Pierre Daura
• The hanging garden of the Hôtel de Lazerme

Permanent exhibitions

• Collections permanentes : Perpignan gothique, baroque, moderne et contemporain – Gothic altarpieces, portraits by Hyacinthe Rigaud, works by Maillol, Dufy and Terrus, then the Clavé and Daura room.
• Le jardin du musée – The hanging garden of the Hôtel de Lazerme, reintegrated into the visit route.

Founded

1833

Admission & discounts

The rates shown apply outside temporary exhibitions. During a temporary exhibition, the full rate is €11 and the reduced rate €9. Free on proof for members of the Cercle Rigaud, RSA or FNS beneficiaries, ICOM members, licensed guides, members of the Maison des Artistes, “Arts en poche” companions and the University of Perpignan culture pass. Tickets are valid all day and are neither exchangeable nor refundable. Payment by bank card or in cash.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• 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 museum is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility. Wheelchair users must report to the ticket desk to enter through the sliding door of the Patio Vivès. Tactile visits are offered to blind and visually impaired people.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Private family visits of 1 hour 30 minutes for children aged 4 to 11, on a theme that varies (hands, treasures of the museum, portrait, landscape), booked at least two weeks in advance. A family booklet is available during the summer exhibitions. The programme also includes workshops, shows, storytelling sessions and the “musée des tout-petits”.

Getting there & parking

Perpignan-Rivesaltes airport is 6.5 km away.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop; a free access ticket is issued at the ticket desk on request.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 150 guests.

Espace Mailly (conference room, reception and Cour Mailly, 150 people in total), Espace Lazerme (Cour Lazerme up to 130 people) and Espace Jardin (40 people). An offer for companies and organisations, with guided tours, workshops and seminars; quote on request.

Plan your visit