Musée Soulages, Contemporary art museum in Rodez, France
The Musée Soulages is a contemporary art museum in Rodez, housed in several parallel buildings clad with rust-colored Corten steel facades. The exhibition rooms inside follow a clear geometric layout that allows daylight to enter the galleries through tall windows and skylights.
The city commissioned the building from Catalan architects RCR Arquitectes, who received the Pritzker Prize in 2017. The opening took place in May 2014 after the painter, born in Rodez, donated his works to his hometown.
The artist called black a color that reflects light, and the rooms are designed so natural daylight illuminates the surfaces of the works in ever-changing ways. Visitors can observe how the perception of the paintings shifts with the hours and the weather.
The rooms are accessible at ground level and suit all visitor groups, while guided tours and workshops are offered regularly. Those who stay longer can take a break in the adjoining café before continuing their visit.
The undulating roof structure consists of individual metal strips that cast different shadow patterns on the walls as the light shifts. These moving reflections connect the outer shell with the theme of the paintings inside.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
