Musée des Beaux-Arts de Caen, Art museum in Castle of Caen, France
The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Caen is an art museum located within the Castle of Caen, displaying European paintings from the Renaissance to the modern era. The collections span various schools and styles, arranged across multiple galleries that include rotating exhibitions.
The museum was founded in 1801 and opened its doors in 1809 as a cultural institution in Normandy. During World War II, it suffered severe damage from bombing, but was comprehensively rebuilt and reopened in 1971.
The museum holds a collection of French and European paintings that reflect the tastes of collectors from different times. Walking through the rooms, you see how artists across centuries approached painting and how those works shaped ideas about art.
The site is easily accessible on foot from the city center and sits within the historic castle grounds. The interior is well-signposted, and entry to the permanent collections is free, allowing for a relaxed visit without time pressure.
The museum holds a remarkable collection of French and Italian master works that visitors often overlook while focusing on the more widely known exhibitions. These collections reveal the exchange between French and southern European artists across generations.
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