Calvet Museum, Art museum in Avignon, France
The Calvet Museum is an art collection housed in an 18th-century mansion with sections for paintings, sculptures, and archaeological objects. The institution also maintains a separate Lapidary collection installed in a former Jesuit chapel.
The museum was established in 1811 following Napoleon's decree and occupies a building that once belonged to cardinal Pierre d'Ailly. Its collections originate from the physician and collector Esprit Calvet, who bequeathed his valuable holdings to the city.
The museum displays French paintings spanning the 16th to 20th centuries, featuring works by regional and local artists. You see pieces by Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun and others that show how artistic styles changed and developed over generations.
Visiting requires moving between two separate locations to see all the collections. Allow enough time to explore both sites, especially if you want to view the archaeological pieces.
The Egyptian section contains sarcophagi and canopic jars from Esprit Calvet's personal collection, gathered during an era when such acquisitions reflected scholarly passion for ancient cultures. These pieces reveal how 18th-century collectors obtained and valued pieces from distant civilizations.
Location: Avignon
Inception: April 2, 1811
Official opening: April 9, 1811
Address: 65, rue Joseph Vernet
Phone: +33490863384
Email: musee.calvet@mairie-avignon.com
Website: http://musee-calvet.org/beaux-arts-archeologie/fr/home
GPS coordinates: 43.94697,4.80363
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:40
Avignon holds more than its most famous sights. This route moves through churches, monasteries, and gardens that often go unnoticed by passing travelers. The path begins at Chapelle Saint-Ruf, a Romanesque structure, and leads to Rocher des Doms, where views open across the Rhône. The Hôtel des Monnaies displays baroque design, while Musée du Petit Palais houses Italian Renaissance paintings. Rue des Teinturiers, with its old water wheels, speaks to the city's craft traditions. Collection Lambert shows contemporary art within its modern spaces. Other places like Synagogue d'Avignon, Île de la Barthelasse, and Les Halles reveal how people actually move through and use the city. The Palais du Roure keeps local stories alive. The Jardin des Carmes offers a quiet corner for rest. The chapels built by the Pénitents—both black and white—mark religious brotherhoods that shaped life here from medieval times through the 1700s. Across the river in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon stand Fort Saint-André, Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction, and Tour Philippe-le-Bel. This collection shows Avignon not as a single monument but as a living place where history, art, and daily routines have layered themselves over many centuries.
Palais du Roure
214 m
Musée lapidaire d'Avignon
215 m
Muséum Requien
32 m
Chapelle des Templiers
175 m
Hôtel de Sade
162 m
Hôtel de Montfaucon
214 m
Chapelle Saint-Charles
142 m
Collège Saint Nicolas d'Annnecy à Avignon
154 m
Hôtel Forbin de Sainte-Croix
175 m
Hôtel de l'Espine
161 m
Desmarets de Montdevergues mansion
164 m
Hôtel des Laurens
124 m
Hotel de Ratta
213 m
Hôtel des Taillades
32 m
Hôtel de Brancas
122 m
Hôtel de Raousset-Boulbon
170 m
Hôtel Charavin
113 m
Chapelle Notre-Dame-des-Fours d'Avignon
150 m
Hôtel de Villeneuve-Martignan
16 m
Couvent des Religieuses-de-Notre-Dame
137 m
Chapelle des franciscains d'Avignon
146 m
Hôtel particulier Geoffroy
182 m
Chapelle Saint-Augustin des Frères des écoles chrétiennes, anciennement des Bénédictines Notre-Dame d'Avignon
137 m
Couvent de Sainte-Praxède (Avignon)
96 m
Maison de la Petite Lanterne
48 m
2 rue Dorée
160 m
7 rue Dorée
147 m
Immeuble, 16 rue de la Bouquerie
90 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