Musée des Beaux-Arts de Caen, Art museum in Castle of Caen, France
The Musée des Beaux-Arts occupies a section of the Castle of Caen, presenting European artworks from the Renaissance through the 20th century.
The museum, established in 1801 and opened in 1809, lost 540 paintings during World War II bombings before architect Jean Merlet rebuilt it in 1971.
The permanent collection features over 60 European master paintings, including works from Impressionist and Post-Impressionist movements.
The facility provides wheelchair access throughout its 64,583 square feet of exhibition space and offers free admission to permanent collections since 2005.
Annual visitor numbers peaked at 166,516 in 2013, demonstrating the museum's position as a major cultural institution in Normandy.
Location: Caen
Inception: 1801
Architects: Jean Merlet
Official opening: 1809
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Address: Le Château
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Friday 13:30-18:00; Saturday-Sunday 11:00-18:00
Phone: +33231304770
Website: https://mba.caen.fr
GPS coordinates: 49.18629,-0.36158
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:45
Caen bears traces of its past in every stone. The castle built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century still overlooks the city, while the Abbey of Men and the Abbey of Women testify to the power of the Norman dukes. Saint-Pierre Church rises with its 73-meter Gothic tower, and in the streets of Vaugueux, half-timbered houses recall medieval life. The Caen Memorial tells about World War II and the Normandy Battle, periods that deeply affected the city. Between history and nature, Caen also offers places of rest. The Botanical Garden, created in 1848, houses thousands of plant species within its greenhouses and arboretum. The Park of the Hill of Birds, developed over 17 hectares, features themed gardens and viewpoints over the city. From the Fine Arts Museum located within the castle to the Leroy Tower on the Orne quays, each site invites to discover different periods. Visiting Caen means exploring ten centuries of architecture and events that have shaped Normandy.
Castle of Caen
84 m
Church of Saint-Pierre
242 m
Musée de Normandie
159 m
Hôtel d'Escoville
300 m
Maison des Quatrans
191 m
Tour Leroy
293 m
Hôtel de Than
378 m
Église du Saint-Sépulcre de Caen
184 m
Vostrus Stele
159 m
Synagogue of Caen
135 m
Hôtel de Mondrainville
371 m
Ancienne église Saint-Julien de Caen
406 m
52 rue Saint-Pierre, Caen
352 m
54 rue Saint-Pierre, Caen
361 m
Hôtel Duquesnoy-du-Thon
372 m
Musée de la Poste et des Télécommunications
352 m
Maison, 9 rue de la Monnaie
400 m
Hôtel de Colomby
384 m
8 rue des Croisiers, Caen
365 m
Cour des Imprimeurs
409 m
Hôtel Lebourguignon-Duperré
389 m
14 rue des Croisiers, Caen
390 m
Barbacane de la porte Saint-Pierre
144 m
La Lorraine
392 m
Église Saint-Georges-du-Château
76 m
Chapelle de la Miséricorde de Caen
381 m
Maison, 10 rue Montoir-Poissonnerie
200 m
François de Malherbe
383 mReviews
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