Musée du Mont-de-Piété de Bergues

The Musée du Mont-de-Piété is housed in a rectangular brick building from the 17th century, decorated with stone trim, arched windows, and two ornamental gables. Inside, the galleries display artworks and drawings across multiple rooms, including a natural history collection.

The building was constructed between 1629 and 1633 following designs by architect Wenceslas Cobergher and originally served another purpose. It was converted into a museum in 1793 and officially designated as a historical monument in 1907.

The collection holds 2,000 drawings from northern European artists including Poussin, Le Brun, and Van Dyck. Among them is "The Hurdy-gurdy Player with Dog" by Georges de La Tour, a celebrated work of French Baroque painting.

The museum operates from May through October, Wednesday to Sunday. You can explore the collection in a few hours and should check in advance if special tours or temporary exhibitions are being held.

The second floor houses a natural science section featuring bird dioramas and an extensive collection of butterflies and beetles from various regions. This collection reveals often-overlooked aspects of regional biodiversity and historical collecting practices.

Location: Bergues

Official opening: 1953

Phone: +33328681330

Website: https://bergues-musee.fr

GPS coordinates: 50.96920,2.43028

Latest update: December 14, 2025 15:00