Le petit Louvre
Musée de Picardie
Amiens
Museum of Picardy
- 3000
works - 4600m² ofexhibition space
- 1750m²of new space
Museum of Picardy
a unique place
Built between 1855 and 1867, on the initiative of the Société des Antiquaires de Picardie, with the support of Napoleon III, it was the very first French building designed to become a museum. It had been completely closed since 2017, but the galleries of the first building had not been visible since 2008. It has now been completely renovated, revealing exceptionally beautiful painted decorations beneath layers of paint. The collections have been enriched and cover the entire history of art: from archaeological and Egyptian collections in the basement [découvrez notamment la célèbre momie ou la Vénus de Renancourt récemment découverte] to contemporary art [Bacon, Picasso, Miro, Dubuffet, Picabia, Balthus….], via medieval collections including the Puys d’Amiens, masterpieces from the cathedral.
Le Petit Louvre
provincial
This was the nickname given to the Musée de Picardie when it was first conceived. During the renovation, some of the most beautiful painted decorations were brought back to life. Such is the case of the Salon de l’Impératrice, dedicated to Eugénie, Napoleon’s wife. Painted decor and marquetry make it a work of art in its own right.
Also worth discovering is the cabinet of curiosities, featuring unusual objects from the ethnography and natural history collections. In particular, it serves as a mediation tool for schools.
Le Grand Salon
Rediscover the gigantism and pageantry of the Grand Salon. This superb setting is home to canvases of impressive dimensions. For example, Lady Godiva by Jules Lefebvre, restored in 2013, measures 6.20 x 3.90 meters. Albert Maignan’s Voix du Tocsin , which had been rolled up since 1918, has now been restored and placed on the Pompeian-red walls.
Exceptional collections in a sublime building
Cultural programming
Exhibitions and events
Major exhibitions are organized every year. Guided tours and lectures are offered on an ongoing basis to help you get to know the museum’s collections intimately. The museum is also open to other artistic disciplines, with regular events featuring theater, dance and music.
You can also combine art and well-being by taking part in sophromodelling or yoga sessions amidst the works of art.
For afficionados who don’t want to miss a thing, consider subscribing!
Practice
Contact
Musée de Picardie
2 rue Puvis de Chavanne
80000 Amiens
Tel.: 03 22 97 14 00
Practice
Opening hours and prices
- Opening hours
Open every day except Monday and 01/01, 01/05 and 25/12
Tuesday to Friday 9.30am-6pm
Weekends and public holidays 11am-6pm
- Rates
Full price: €9
Reduced price: €5
Free for children under 26
Free on the 1st Sunday of the month
Services
+++
A rich cultural program: temporary exhibitions, guided tours, lectures, concerts,….
A boutique-library with original souvenirs: tableware decorated with motifs from the museum, a range of waid-dyed scarves, soap bearing the effigy of the Museum made by the Savonnerie des Hauts-de-France, coffee and tea created by the Maison Dasi Frère inspired by the museum’s decor.
Tools for children such as the muséojeux kit for a fun and creative visit (mime, singing, finding animals in the museum).
