Museé des Beaux Arts

The Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Angers is an art museum located in the historic Logis Barrault mansion in Angers, western France. It forms part of the Toussaint complex, which includes a garden, gallery, library, and other public spaces. After major renovations between 1999 and 2004, the museum now spans 7,000 square meters, offering permanent and temporary exhibitions, public amenities, and technical facilities.

Founded in 1801 as part of the Ecole Centrale, the museum survived the closure of the school system in 1803 and was preserved by the city. Over time, it expanded through major donations and bequests, notably from David d’Angers and Turpin de Crissé. Despite wartime damage in 1944, the museum was rebuilt and reorganized. In 2003, the nearby Château de Villevêque and its large art collection were added to the museum.

Restoration was led by architect Gabor Mester de Parajd, preserving the site's historical character, while Antoine Stinco redesigned modern spaces to enhance visitor experience.

The museum's permanent collections include over 900 works, from medieval to contemporary art. Highlights include works by Ingres, Boucher, Fragonard, Watteau, Monet, and Tiepolo, along with sculptures, decorative arts, and archaeological artifacts tracing the history of Angers.

The museum hosts several temporary exhibitions each year, with past shows featuring artists like Niki de Saint Phalle and François Morellet.

References:

• Wikipedia

Address

14 Rue du Musée, Angers, France

Details

Founded: 1801
Category: Museums in France