While visiting Avignon, we would walk down the Rue de la République at least twice a day. On our third day we noticed the sign for the Musee Lapidaire and decided to peek inside and see what was behind those doors.
OH MY……….the collection was breathtaking! The gentleman at the desk seemed quite surprised to have visitors…..the place was empty!
You see the museum was originally a Baroque Jesuit Church, whose plans had been prepared in 1616 by Stephen Martelange.
The exterior is classic Jesuit Baroque, and if you are familiar with Rome, the corbels and carving should remind you of the famed Church of the Gesu.
Since 21 June 1928, it is classified as a historical monument.
Inside, amid he surprisingly simplistic interior, the is an astounding display of everything from amphora to grave markers, or stele from local archeological sites.
The permanent collections cover several eras: prehistory , ancient Greek , ancient Etruscan , Roman antiquity , art Gauls , ancient paleo-Christian.
Among the major pieces of the collection of prehistoric times, the museum presents the “Stele of Lauris – Puyvert
The objects of ancient Greek, Roman, and Etruscan, and the Gallic art are varied, vases, statues in low relief, or lamps.
Some Etruscan tombs are also available.
We spent several hours in the museum and so enjoyed this amazing collection. The entire time we were inside, not one other person entered, yet in the street, hundreds walk past the doorway!
We were quite content to have our private museum accompanied by our three singing muses………
Should you ever be in Avignon, do not walk past these doors and miss this incredible place
for more information CLICK HERE
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Tales and Travels of the Tinman 
You must be so happy you went there – I’ll be sure to visit the next time I’m in Avignon!
Do visit………it is a hidden jewel!!
It has been a long time since I was in Avignon but when I was there the streets were crowded. You were lucy to have the museum to yourselves…a nice find.
It was just amazing, we had walked past the door so many time and just decided to peek in……..I felt like dancing inside the artifacts were incredible and so easy to view, just amazing.
What a treasure you found! Breathtaking indeed. Love the muses.
If I could have dragged those big ole stone out the door those muses would be in my home right now. They were so incredible I could almost hear them.
Now I shall have to add this to my list for next time I am in that part of France. I did a post about the Musee Lapidaire in nearby Narbonne early this year but it is much smaller. Despite its size the collection is well worth seeing. 🙂
How did I miss this post? It brings back such fond memories of Avignon, a place so rich with history and the gateway to my favorite area of France.
What a great find! I’d love to spend a few hours in there! The whole place seems so tranquil!
It is a most amazing and interesting place………..why it is not more heavily visited, I do not understand.
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