Musée Soulages
Museum in Rodez devoted to the painter Pierre Soulages, with a major donation of works and contemporary architecture in the Foirail garden.
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About the museum
In 2005, Pierre Soulages and his wife Colette donated an exceptional collection of 250 works and 250 documents to the Grand Rodez urban community. The museum’s cultural and scientific project is designed to connect the painter’s life and work with the different forms of his creativity.
In 2008, the architecture firm RCR Arquitectes, together with Passelac & Roques, took part in the architectural competition launched by the urban community for the future museum. The museum opened in 2014 in the Foirail garden, close to the historic center of Rodez.
The collections include canvas paintings, walnut stain and works on paper, the preparatory cartoons for the stained-glass windows of Conques abbey church, and an important holding of printed works. The museum also has a documentation center, an auditorium, a workshop for educators and a bookshop and boutique.
The building is fully accessible, and the museum has developed many measures for visitors with disabilities. The ticket also gives access to the Musée Fenaille. The museum’s café-restaurant closed at the end of August 2026, and a new food-service project has been announced for the autumn.
Highlights
- Donation of 250 works by Pierre Soulages and 250 documents
- Preparatory cartoons for the Conques stained-glass windows
- Walnut stain and works on paper
- Tactile model and facilities for visitors with disabilities
- Ticket also valid for the Musée Fenaille
Permanent exhibition
- Collection permanente Pierre Soulages – Canvas paintings, walnut stain, cartoons for the Conques stained-glass windows and printed works, from the donation of Pierre and Colette Soulages.
- Founded
- 2014
- Operated by
- Rodez agglomération
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €12 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €8Visitors with disabilities and their companion, members of the Friends of the Musée Soulages association, members of the CASLGR, holders of a valid ticket from a partner museum, members of the Collection Pinault |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free for children under 18. When booking online, choose the child ticket at €0. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €8The companion also pays €8; admission is free for one person with a disability card bearing the note “besoin d’accompagnement”. |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree for students (proof dated within the last 3 months). |
| Groups (10+ people) | €10 per personGroups of 10 or more. |
| Annual pass (Soulages and Fenaille museums) | €25 |
| Pass XXL Rodez agglo / Friends of the Musée Soulages card (subscription) | €20 |
| Guided visit of the Soulages collections – introduction or highlights (in addition to the ticket) | €4 |
| Guided visit of the Soulages collections – full tour or architecture (in addition to the ticket) | €6 |
| Family guided tour (in addition to the ticket) | €4Free for children under 6. |
| Audio guide to the permanent collection | €3 |
| Virtual reality headset (12-minute 3D video, in French and English) | €4.50 |
Free admission: European Heritage Days and the first Sunday of the month from November to April
The ticket also gives access to the Musée Fenaille. Also free for job seekers, RSA recipients, recipients of the minimum old-age pension (minimum vieillesse), holders of a press card, ICOM or Culture card, and others (proof required).
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours
- Easy-to-read materials
- Audio description
The museum is fully wheelchair-accessible; folding chairs and seats are lent free of charge at reception. Texts in Braille and large print, raised-line plans, a tactile booklet and a tactile model of the building. Audio description of 15 works on the audio guide. Induction loop at reception. An easy-read booklet in French and a sensory bag to borrow. A bilingual tour in French Sign Language is available on reservation. 10 spaces are reserved in the Foirail underground car park (maximum height 1.90 m).
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
Interactive educational programme to help understand Soulages’ work, with a children’s version of the audio guide. Art workshops on the third Sunday of the month and during school holidays (“Mes vacances au musée”). Family guided tour with a €4 supplement per ticket.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Victor Hugo
“Victor Hugo” stop (across the Foirail garden), served by lines B, C, D, Dim, F, H, L and S. “Lycée Foch” and “Planard” stops nearby.
By car
Parking available · 100 m to the entrance
No museum car park. The pedestrian exit of the Foirail underground car park is 100 m from the entrance; car access is via the boulevard du 122e régiment d’infanterie.
- Accessible parking
The museum is in the Foirail garden, a few steps from the historic center of Rodez.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Coat check
Bookshop of about 32 m² at the entrance. The Café Bras closed on August 31, 2026; a new food-service project is to be presented in the autumn. Luggage and large bags are not permitted.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Audio guide for €3 at reception, with a version for children. Family guided tour of about one hour; booking recommended. Groups: book by phone or e-mail. Only assistance dogs are allowed in the galleries. |
