Musée Calvet

It was at the beginning of the 18th century that the building took on its solemn and majestic form. The work was directed by the architect Jean-Baptiste Franque, who proposed to the patrons, Joseph Ignace de Villeneuve-Martignan and his wife Henriette Victoire de Sade, a structure situated between a courtyard and formal French gardens in the heart of Avignon. The reception room and the staircase leading to the Vernet Gallery bear witness to the achievements of the Age of Enlightenment.

The garden, of exceptional size, shaded by century-old plane trees, is a space conducive to the organization of private events.

Over the past two centuries, the Calvet Museum has acquired numerous works through donations, loans, and purchases. The painters Carle and Horace Vernet, along with their friend Esprit Requien, were instrumental in establishing the art gallery. Horace Vernet is notably credited with the 1846 donation of David's masterpiece, The Death of Young Bara. The Louvre Museum further enriched the collection with a significant loan of works from Hubert Robert. Painters and sculptors such as Pradier, Chassériau, Cléssinger, Manet, Bonnard, Camille Claudel, and many other artists now form a collection of exceptional quality.

The Calvet Museum also has a fine collection of modern art including a drawing by Cézanne, two by Modigliani, paintings by Dufy, Utrillo, an extraordinary Vlaminck and five Soutines, true masterpieces, unique in France outside of Paris.

IH: Pavement developed for access to the main courtyard on rue Joseph Vernet. The Calvet Museum cobblestone path is difficult to navigate in wheelchairs and electric wheelchairs (round pebbles). Access ramp adapted for visiting the ground floor of the museum.
Alternate vehicle access is available on Rue Basile. A doorbell is provided at the entrance to open the gate, with two designated disabled parking spaces. An exterior elevator provides access to the ground floor of the museum and the ticket office.
Floor accessible by elevator.

THE MUSEUM IS CLOSED UNTIL DECEMBER 7TH INCLUSIVE.