I need to revise and update this one with new text and links as Toulouse is one of my dearest cities in France. The region of my dear late wife Martine family on father’s side. We, of course, have been there several times and we need to be back again when possible. The museums are gorgeous and should be seen by all visitors; I like to tell you a bit more on the museums of Toulouse! Hope you enjoy it as I did
This time will be recap several museums in the city some of which I have written before in my blog. Never a minute away from them will give you more on them here. Toulouse is the pink city and it also reflects on the architecture of these museums. Toulouse has some nice museums that are often overlook but should not in my opinion.
I start with the musée Saint Raymond, just across from the Basilica of St Sernin. The musée Saint-Raymond, former museum of antiquities , is the archeological museum of Toulouse opened since 1892. It is located in the walls of the former university college of Saint-Raymond dating from the 16C.
The Saint-Raymond Museum is quite simply the second largest collection of Roman sculptures in France after that of the Louvre. In the basement of the museum, the visitor can also visit one of the necropolises of Toulouse with in particular the presence of the remains of a large limekiln and an extraordinary collection of sarcophagi from the end of the Antiquity.
The official St Raylmond museum webpage: https://saintraymond.toulouse.fr/Musee-Saint-Raymond-Toulouse-archaeological-museum_a1081.html
The tourist office of Toulouse on the museum: https://www.toulouse-visit.com/musee-saint-raymond-musee-d-archeologie-de-toulouse/toulouse/pcumid031fs00071
Then , you can move on to the musée des Saint-Augustins . The musée des Augustins is the fine arts museum of Toulouse. It was created in 1793 and opened in 1795. As it was during the French revolution period , it was house in the former convent of Augustins housing the important collections of painting and sculptures.
The Musée des Augustins is one of the oldest museums in France (after Louvre). It brings together in a prestigious setting important collections of painting and sculpture from the early Middle Ages to the early years of the 20C, including a collection of Romanesque capitals and Gothic sculptures. During your visit, do not miss the colony of gargoyles which has taken up residence in the cloister! Various salons are upstairs where sculptures and European schools of painting from the 17C to the 19C are represented, with some great signatures such as Vigée-Lebrun, Murillo or even Delacroix. In addition, many tours and workshops are offered to visitors, children and families.
It is now closed undergoing a major renovation. The new museum will have a stone wall several meters high that will rise between the current entrance on rue de Metz and the building which adjoins rue d’Alsace-Lorraine. It will replace the current brick wall. Since last November 16, archaeological excavations have started in front of the museum. Once these excavations are completed at the end of January 2021, the renovation will be able to file the building permit. The work will then start in September 2021 for a period of one year. The goal is to open the new pavilion in October 2022.
First, there is the construction site of the two glass roofs built at the end of the 19C according to plans by the architect Eugène Viollet-Le-Duc. This project should make it possible to increase the luminosity of the Salon Rouge, where the most beautiful works of the museum are exhibited. This work will be completed in February 2021. Major work has also been carried out to improve the accessibility of the site to all audiences and in particular to people with reduced mobility. When the museum reopens, an elevator will take you to the upstairs painting rooms. New fire safety has been put in place to protect the reserves on the top floor. Finally, the cloister is now subject to increased surveillance: The cloister does not manage rainwater and it damages the walls. Arbitrations are underway to find solutions.
The official Saint Augustins museum webpage: https://www.augustins.org/en/home
The tourist office of Toulouse on the museum : http://Tourist office of Toulouse on the St Augustins museum
The Museum of Toulouse located at 35 Allée Jules Guesdes and near the gardens. We need to come back to see more of this one. The Toulouse Museum, bordered by the Jardin des Plantes, (see post) is a museum at the crossroads of the world of science, culture, education, social issues and questions. It invites the visitor to wonder about his relationship to the living world around him.
In 1796, Philippe Picot, holder of the first chair in natural history in Toulouse and director of the Jardin des Plantes, transferred his cabinet and his collections to an old monastery. It is the birth of the Museum. 200 years later, millions have passed the walls to discover the relationship that man maintains with the nature that surrounds him, through his history and the major challenges he encounters.
It offers visitors the opportunity to discover and deepen their knowledge of the interactions between man, nature and the environment: a journey through the heart of living things (permanent exhibition on the Earth, the history of life, living and biodiversity), understanding contemporary natural heritage through temporary exhibitions, conferences, screenings … Do not miss strolling in the gardens of the Maourine and the Museum, discovering the Ketzal boutique or taking a look on the books of the library.
The Official museum of Toulouse webpage: https://www.museum.toulouse.fr/accueil
The tourist office of Toulouse on the museum : https://www.toulouse-visit.com/le-museum-de-toulouse/toulouse/pcumid031fs00966
The City of Toulouse on its museums in French: https://www.toulouse.fr/web/cultures/musees#/?_k=viqpli
You should plan half a day for each to see it well, or come back as we do… they are really worth it and need to be known more other than those in Paris. Hope you enjoy the museums of Toulouse!
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!
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