Calvet Museum 🇫🇷

The Calvet Museum (musée Calvet) stands as the principal museum in Avignon, France. Set within the 18th-century hôtel de Villeneuve-Martignan—a historic town mansion designated as a monument historique—it offers a rich cultural experience funded originally by the 1810 legacy of doctor and collector Esprit Calvet. Visitors should explore this grand institution to immerse themselves in diverse artistic treasures, spanning fine arts, archaeology, decorative arts, and global ethnography from Asia, Oceania, and Africa.

Inside, you will discover a vast array of French paintings from the 16th through the 20th centuries, featuring works by Jacques-Louis David, Joseph Vernet, Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun, Camille Corot, and Chaïm Soutine. The collections also boast notable Italian, Spanish, and Northern European masterpieces, alongside prints, drawings, and classic sculptures like Camille Claudel’s bronze bust of her brother. Decorative arts displays highlight ornate goldwork, ironwork, faience, porcelain, and tapestries.

Additionally, since the 1980s, the museum's collection extends to a separate Lapidary Museum housed in a former Jesuit college chapel on rue de la République. Whether admiring classic portraiture, dramatic landscapes, or historical artifacts, a visit provides an inspiring journey through centuries of art history.

What to see at Calvet Museum

• French paintings spanning the 16th to 20th centuries, including David's 'The Death of Joseph Bara'
• Classic sculptures such as Camille Claudel's bronze bust 'Paul Claudel as a Young Roman'
• Decorative arts including goldwork, faience, porcelain, tapestries, and ironwork
• Global ethnographic collections from Asia, Oceania, and Africa
• The separate Lapidary Museum located in the former Jesuit college chapel on rue de la République

Visiting tips

Be sure to visit both locations to see the complete collection, as the lapidary works are housed separately on rue de la République.

How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Calvet Museum is easy to reach on Avignon’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Palais des Papes and Musée du Petit Palais. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Avignon travel guide.