Museum of Fine Arts of Caen (Musée des Beaux-Arts de Caen)
About Museum of Fine Arts of Caen (Musée des Beaux-Arts de Caen)
The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Caen is one of France's most important regional art museums, housing an exceptional collection of European paintings from the 15th to 21st centuries. Located within William the Conqueror's medieval castle, the contemporary museum building creates a striking architectural contrast with the 11th-century fortress walls. The permanent collection spans over 2,000 square meters across four levels, featuring masterpieces by Italian, French, Flemish, and Dutch masters including works by Dürer, Tintoretto, Veronese, Rubens, Monet, and Bonnard. The museum also holds the remarkable Mancel Collection of 50,000 prints and engravings. Since 2007, the castle ramparts feature an outdoor sculpture garden with works by Rodin, Bourdelle, and contemporary artists. Free admission for visitors under 26 and students makes this an accessible cultural experience, while the permanent collection is free for all visitors. The museum is closed on Mondays (except July-August), with a midday break Tuesday through Friday.
Interesting Facts
The museum's remarkable Mancel Collection was assembled by a passionate 19th-century collector who traveled twice to Rome specifically to attend sales of Cardinal Fesch's estate - Napoleon's own uncle. This extraordinary dedication resulted in acquiring 50,000 prints by masters like Dürer and Rembrandt, making it one of the most significant print collections in provincial France.
The museum has survived two catastrophic events that destroyed significant portions of its collection. A devastating fire in 1905 claimed several Dutch and Flemish masterpieces, and Allied bombing during the Battle of Caen in June-July 1944 destroyed artworks that couldn't be evacuated. Despite these losses, the museum rebuilt to become even more important than before.
During World War II, the museum received a 1994 award-winning extension designed by architect Philippe Dubois, which earned the prestigious Grand Prix national des Musées in 1995 - recognition for both its innovative architecture and its cultural programming that helped revitalize the museum after its wartime destruction.
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Museum Entry
RecommendedTemporary Exhibition
Two Temporary Exhibitions
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