Musée Du Petit Palais image

Musée Du Petit Palais

Tourist attraction Museum History museum

Grand 1300s bishop's residence housing works by early Renaissance masters, including Botticelli. People often mention museum, free, collection, paintings, closed, Botticelli,


Address

Palais des archevêques, Pl. du Palais, 84000 Avignon, France

Website

www.petit-palais.org

Contact

+33 4 90 86 44 58

Rating on Google Maps

4.30 (274 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 10 am to 1 pm, 2 to 5 pm
  • Sunday: (New Year's Eve), 10 am to 1 pm, 2 to 5 pm, Hours might differ
  • Monday: (New Year's Day), 10 am to 1 pm, 2 to 5 pm, Hours might differ
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 10 am to 1 pm, 2 to 5 pm
  • Thursday: 10 am to 1 pm, 2 to 5 pm
  • Friday: 10 am to 1 pm, 2 to 5 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: museum (17) free (8) collection (8) paintings (7) closed (6) Botticelli (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 1/5 Carly L. 1 year ago on Google
    Opening hours do not match the signs at the front OR the city map. When I visited, Tourist Information said the daily lunch break was from 1-2 (as per the city map). When I arrived, the museum advertised they were open non-stop until 7. However, by “open” they don’t mean you can see anything, as the galleries are closed for a staff lunch from 12-1. People visiting Avignon have limited time and should be able to plan their visits based on accurate information. Again, I visited at 12:15 and could not see any of the art. Waste of time.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Caroline F. 1 year ago on Google
    Although this museum is free, most of the rooms/works of art were closed off. Thankfully I did get to see Botticelli’s Madonna & Child, but whereas I’d normally spend a good couple of hours in an art gallery, I was done in less than half an hour. I was also looking forward to enjoying a coffee in the courtyard, but the café was closed and it looked like they were renovating or getting rid of it!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 J T. 4 years ago on Google
    Opened in 1976, this FREE (yes apparently it’s free) wonderful museum that is located in the main square (at the side of the Palais des Papes) has fantastic collection of Renaissance paintings of Avignon. It’s a very easy and relaxing place so do take your time and just enjoy.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 J L. 2 years ago on Google
    It’s free which is good because most of this museum is closed off
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Matt V. 5 years ago on Google
    As others have noted, the collection of early Italian Renaissance paintings is truly excellent. After viewing a dozen rooms of 14th and 15th century masters, the room devoted to Botticelli is startling! Humans with flesh, blood, and mass! And so perfectly lit. Go for the Botticelli’s alone.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 aC 4 months ago on Google
    It's free museum but it's world class museum with many old masters paintings. I especially like the methods of how they made paints in the past. Too bad my French is not very good cos very few descriptions are in English and it's mostly just who's the painter and title.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Craig B. 1 year ago on Google
    On the north side of the Place du Palais and immediately adjacent the large Palais des Papes is the Musee du Petit Palais, a smallish museum that focuses on religious paintings on wood screens and panels (which would normally be placed within various churches) as well as some scultupres. The museum is well organized, laid out and the 14th century palace that it is situated in as interesting in its own right. The collection is narrowly focused so would appeal mostly to a particular crowd. The museum is free and since one is normally in the area to see the Palais des Papes, it is worth the 20 minute visit.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Alexandra N. 1 year ago on Google
    Free entry was a surprise and most welcome, especially as many of the galleries were not open(that's why I didn't award it a 5). Some amazing and impressive medieval religious art here though. The 14th century building itself is historic too. Glad we went to this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Would have appreciated some more English labels and explanatory boards in the rooms.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Juan Luis D. 4 years ago on Google
    Awesome Italian primitive painters collection! Seven Boticelli, one of his five Virgin and Child among them! Free entrance!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Elise S. 4 years ago on Google
    Amazing collection of early renaissance art. Includes 7 Botticelli. free entrance with clean bathrooms. Can’t ask for much more.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Catherine A. 6 years ago on Google
    We were stunned by this place. I have never spent 3 hours in a museum before but you couldn't drag us away! The religious art of the high Middle Ages and the Renaissance blew us away, worth the entrance price ten times over. The statues and paintings (including works by great names such as Botticelli) were stunning. It's a must see.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 janvier h. 1 year ago on Google
    Free but most of it is closed, including the café. Not worth even the short walk to it

  • 5/5 Yair Bar Z. 4 years ago on Google
    This is a great museum, located beside the Pope's Palace. Located within a 14th-century building, the museum features an impressive collection of over 325 Renaissance paintings and sculptures in Avignon as well as Italy. Admission is reasonable. Admission to ages 11 and under is free. Opening hours: Wednesdays to Mondays from 10:00 to 13:00, 14:00 to 18:00. How long should you visit? Between one and two hours.

  • 5/5 pierpaolo a. 4 years ago on Google
    Super museum. Unexpected high quality of painting and sculptures. The building is beautiful as well

  • 4/5 Illa L. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice museum, excibiting paintings mostly of religious origin !

  • 5/5 Stephen N. 1 year ago on Google
    Best museum I've ever visited wow!

  • 4/5 Terry F. 10 months ago on Google
    Very good art gallery of the Papal Palace. Wonderful collection and some beautiful works by Botticelli.

  • 3/5 Preston C. 1 year ago on Google
    Most of it is closed off, and some staff suggest pictures allowed, while others say no. It's free to enter though.

  • 5/5 Dave R. 9 months ago on Google
    A great museum of Christian and church art from the time if the popes in Avignon

  • 5/5 solum p. 7 months ago on Google
    The staff of the museum was very friendly and helpful which is not common in France, at least from my experience. Thank you for that. We enjoyed the collection very much.

  • 5/5 Tracy A. 5 months ago on Google
    A delightful quiet moment enjoying beautiful images from the Middle Ages. Splendid. Enjoy the courtyard cafe.


Call +33 4 90 86 44 58 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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