Calvet Museum

Avignon, France

La Fondation Calvet is an art foundation in Avignon, named for Esprit Calvet, who left his collections and library to it in 1810. The foundation maintains several museums and a two libraries, with support from the town. The original legacies of paintings, archaeological items, coins and medals, and medieval sculpture have been added to by many other legacies, and a significant deposit of works of art from the Louvre. The archaeological collections and medieval sculpture are now housed separately in the 'Musée Lapidaire' - once the chapel of the Jesuit College. The main museum is in an 18th-century city mansion, to which modern buildings have been added; the Library bequeathed by Calvet, and the important collection of over 12,000 coins and medals, have moved to a different location in the city.

In Avignon there are six museums:

  • Bibliothèque Calvet, the main library, housed since 1986 in part of what was once a cardinal's palace, the Livrée Ceccano
  • Musée Calvet, the main art gallery, housed in an 18th-century city mansion (a hôtel particulier), the Hôtel de Villeneuve-Martignan
  • Médaillier Calvet, a collection of coins and medals
  • Musée Lapidaire, a collection of sculptures and archeological finds, housed in what was once the chapel of a Jesuit college
  • Museum et Bibliothèque Requien, a natural history museum
  • Musée du Petit Palais, a collection of medieval and renaissance paintings
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Category: Museums in France

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Desi Dim (2 months ago)
Great little gallery! Several Chaim Soutine's paintings! Nice garden :-) Free entry.
David Smith (2 months ago)
Lovely fairly small art gallery. No entry fee. Great collection of paintings and sculpture.
Mike Zito (2 months ago)
The finest museum in Avignon and one of the best in Provence. Includes archeology, paintings, sculptures, tapestries, porcelain, goldwork and other decorative arts. Also Egyptian and Asian exhibits. The painter Nicolas Mignard and his brother Pierre and son PierreII, Alfred Sisley, Pierre Grivolas, as well as other artists from France and Italy are well represented. This is a vast collection of and you will need several hours here. The museum is free.
Trung-Tin Dinh (3 months ago)
My visit to Musée Calvet in Avignon was an absolute delight. Housed in a stunning 18th-century mansion, the museum is a true treasure trove of art and history. The collection is impressively diverse, spanning centuries and featuring everything from classical sculptures and ancient artifacts to beautiful paintings by renowned artists. What struck me most was the thoughtful curation of the exhibits. Each room tells a unique story, with artworks and historical pieces displayed in a way that’s both engaging and educational. The museum’s atmosphere is serene, and the fact that it’s fully climatized made the experience even more enjoyable, offering a comfortable retreat from the summer heat as you explore the rich collections. Another fantastic aspect is that admission is completely free, making it accessible to everyone who wants to immerse themselves in the art and history of the region. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, offering insights and answering questions with enthusiasm. The museum itself is well-maintained, and the architecture adds to the overall experience, with its grand staircases, elegant rooms, and charming courtyard. Whether you’re an art lover or simply curious about the rich history of Avignon, Musée Calvet is a must-visit. It’s a cultural gem that offers a deep and rewarding experience, leaving you with a greater appreciation for the arts and the history of the region. Highly recommended!
Nelli (5 months ago)
Very interesting and beautiful! Really worth to visit it, we spend more than an hour in this fabulous museum! Highly recommended ☺️
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