Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours, Art museum in Tours, France
The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours occupies a former archbishop's palace located near the Saint-Gatien Cathedral and displays artworks in multiple exhibition halls. The building itself is a work of architecture that contains paintings, sculptures, and other artistic objects spanning different periods.
The museum was founded in 1795 and officially recognized as a historic monument in 1983, confirming its status as an important cultural asset. Its collections grew over the decades through donations and acquisitions, shaping the artistic heritage of the region today.
The galleries display paintings from Italian, French, Flemish, and Dutch artistic traditions, showing how these schools influenced each other over time. You can walk through rooms and see how artists from different regions approached similar subjects in their own ways.
The museum is typically open in the morning and early afternoon, with closures on Tuesdays and major holidays. It helps to check exact opening hours in advance and allow time to explore the different galleries at a comfortable pace.
The museum's courtyard holds an old cedar tree that has stood for centuries, witnessing the passage of time. Nearby sits the preserved skeleton of an elephant from a circus mishap in the early 1900s, a curious reminder of a local event that time almost forgot.
Location: Tours
Inception: March 4, 1795
Official opening: March 4, 1795
Opening Hours: 09:00-12:45,14:00-18:00; Tuesday off; January 01 off; May 01 off; July 14 off; November 01 off; December 25 off
Phone: +33247056873
Email: culturembaaccueil@ville-tours.fr
Website: https://mba.tours.fr
GPS coordinates: 47.39520,0.69490
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:42
The Loire Valley features Gothic cathedrals, Renaissance châteaux and medieval squares. From Saint-Gatien Cathedral to Château de Chenonceau, each location displays architectural details: towers, stone walls, decorated facades and geometric gardens. The city of Tours combines half-timbered houses,...
Tours Cathedral
52 m
Château de Tours
233 m
Roman amphitheatre of Tours
115 m
Enceinte gallo-romaine de Tours
34 m
Cloître de la Psalette
101 m
Hôtel
288 m
Couvent des Ursulines de Tours
182 m
Hôtel Bacot de Romand
302 m
Hôtel Liebert de Nitray
148 m
Hôtel de l'archidiaconé de Tours
215 m
Maison canoniale du Curé de Tours
89 m
Hôtel, 7 rue de la Barre
217 m
Ancienne maison canoniale de Saint-Gatien
90 m
Hôtel du Doyenné de Saint-Gatien
209 m
Hôtel, 43 rue Émile-Zola, 60 rue de la Préfecture
253 m
Ancienne maison canoniale, 1 place Grégoire-de-Tours
68 m
Hôtel de la Petite Bourdaisière
188 m
Hôtel, 33bis rue du Cygne
290 m
Immeuble, 96, 98 rue Colbert
277 m
Maison du Préchantre
116 m
Maison de justice des Bains
92 m
Hôtel de Chanoines
65 m
Maison, 25 rue du Cygne
289 m
Maison, 90 rue Colbert
292 m
Chapelle des Lazaristes de Tours
116 m
Pipe organ (Tours St Gatien cathedral)
52 m
Maison, 29 rue du Cygne
287 m
Ancienne maison canoniale, 1 rue Manceau
71 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes