Musée d'Art sacré du Gard, Religious art museum in Pont-Saint-Esprit, France
The Musée d'Art Sacré du Gard is housed in the medieval Maison des Chevaliers and displays religious artifacts and artwork spanning multiple centuries of history. The building contains several exhibition spaces showing sacred objects from ancient times through more recent periods.
The building dates to the 12th century when wealthy grain merchants constructed it for their own use. It then served as the residence of the Piolenc family for six centuries before eventually becoming a museum.
The collection displays religious objects and artworks from multiple faith traditions, including Egyptian sarcophagi, ancient portraits, and sacred items side by side. This approach shows how different cultures represented the sacred through their own artistic expressions.
The museum is easily reached on foot from the old town and sits in a central location along Rue de la Poste. The rooms are connected by stairs, which may present challenges for visitors with mobility limitations.
During restoration work in the 1990s, workers uncovered a hidden 15th-century painting concealed beneath a false ceiling within the medieval structure. This portrait of a woman from centuries past reveals details that still surprise visitors today.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.