Musée de Picardie

Museum in Amiens

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Chabe01

The Musée de Picardie in Amiens stands as a testament to 19th-century French cultural ambition and architectural innovation. Established in 1802 as the Musée Napoléon, it found its permanent home in a purpose-built edifice constructed between 1855 and 1867. Designed by architects Henri Parent and Arthur-Stanislas Diet, the building was inspired by the expansions of the Louvre under Napoleon III, making it the first structure in France conceived specifically to house a museum collection. This pioneering design set a precedent for regional museums across the country.

The museum’s collections are both vast and diverse, encompassing artifacts from prehistory through the 19th century. Visitors can explore archaeological treasures from the Paleolithic era, including Acheulean bifaces, to Gallo-Roman artifacts unearthed in the Somme region. The medieval section boasts sculptures and artworks, such as the 15th-century alabaster reliefs depicting the Passion of Christ. The fine arts collection features works by renowned artists like El Greco, Frans Hals, and Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin, offering a comprehensive journey through European art history.

Beyond its permanent exhibits, the Musée de Picardie is renowned for its architectural grandeur. The grand staircase and galleries are adorned with monumental murals by Pierre Puvis de Chavannes, enhancing the museum’s aesthetic appeal. Listed as a historic monument in 2012, the museum underwent extensive renovations, reopening in 2020 to continue its mission of preserving and showcasing art and history.

The Musée de Picardie appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Amiens!

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Visiting Musée de Picardie

Hours:

Open every day except Mondays, January 1st, May 1st and December 25th from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday.

It is open from 11am to 6pm, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Price:

Adults €9

Address: Musée de Picardie, Rue Puvis de Chavannes, Amiens, France