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The Hôtel Cujas, which is a listed historical monument, has housed the Berry Museum since 1892.
The ground floor is occupied by the archaeological collections, with protohistoric (locally-found bronze Etruscan artefacts) and especially Gallo-Roman finds. Bourges-Avaricum was the capital of the ancient province of Aquitaine.
The lapidary section includes a large number of funeral items (220 steles), as well as fragments of religious architecture and sculptures.
Sculptures from the Holy Chapel of Bourges, mourners from the tomb of Duke John of Berry, as well as stained glass windows and precious objects are exhibited in another aisle of the museum.
Paintings and drawings by Jean Boucher, a particularly active artist in Bourges during the first third part of the 17th century, can also be seen in the same aisle.
On the first floor, rural life in Berry in the 19th century is brought to life through everyday items, furniture, costumes, tools used by farmers and craftsmen. A room is devoted to the works of the famous 19th century potters from the village of La Borne : the Talbot family.
Finally, another small room exhibits Egyptian funeral objects, including a mummy in its sarcophagus.
References:Sirmione castle was built near the end of the 12th century as part of a defensive network surrounding Verona. The castle was maintained and extended first as part of the Veronese protection against their rivals in Milan and later under the control of the Venetian inland empire. The massive fortress is totally surrounded by water and has an inner porch which houses a Roman and Medieval lapidary. From the drawbridge, a staircase leads to the walkways above the walls, providing a marvellous view of the harbour that once sheltered the Scaliger fleet. The doors were fitted with a variety of locking systems, including a drawbridge for horses, carriages and pedestrians, a metal grate and, more recently, double hinged doors. Venice conquered Sirmione in 1405, immediately adopting provisions to render the fortress even more secure, fortifying its outer walls and widening the harbour.
Thanks to its strategical geographical location as a border outpost, Sirmione became a crucial defence and control garrison for the ruling nobles, retaining this function until the 16th century, when its role was taken up by Peschiera del Garda.