Musée Sainte-Croix, Art and archaeological museum in Poitiers, France
The Musée Sainte-Croix is an art and archaeological museum in Poitiers presenting works from prehistoric times to contemporary art. The collection spans multiple galleries housed within a modern concrete and glass structure designed to display everything from ancient objects to modern sculptures.
The museum opened in 1974 on the former grounds of Sainte-Croix abbey, designed by architect John Monge. This location connected the new institution to a site with deep medieval roots and monastic history.
The museum holds over one million artifacts, including a 4th-century apostle head sculpture, a 5th-century marble sarcophagus, and works by Rodin and Claudel.
The museum opens on weekdays with morning and afternoon hours, while weekends offer afternoon access. The layout allows visitors to move through galleries at their own pace and explore different areas based on their interests.
In 2024, the museum acquired 300 artworks by female artists through a major donation, titled 'La Musée'. This addition brought attention to creators whose work had previously been less visible in the collection.
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