Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Abbey Museum, located in Saint-Claude in the Jura, occupies the former abbey palace of Saint-Claude. Inaugurated in 2008, it presents a collection of works ranging from the late 19th century to the 1980s from the donations of painters Guy Bardone and René Genis. The basement preserves major archaeological remains, including two medieval chapels (XII and XV centuries) and masonized tombs, discovered during excavations begun in 1993. These discoveries led to the classification of the site at the Historic Monuments in 1995.

The museum project was initiated by the city of Saint-Claude to enhance these remains and artistic donations. The works, led by architects Adelfo Scaranello and Paul Barnoud between 2006 and 2008, created a space of 1,300 m2, combining contemporary architecture and historical heritage. The museum offers permanent exhibitions (paintings, drawings, prints) and temporary exhibitions dedicated to modern and contemporary art, while highlighting the abbey's millennial history.

The collections include 340 figurative works, with major pieces by Raoul Dufy, Pierre Bonnard, Félix Vallotton, and representatives of the École de Paris. The archaeological remains, restored under the aegis of the Historical Monuments, offer an exceptional testimony of monastic life since the 11th century. The museum, labeled "Musée de France" in 2004, embodies a dialogue between art, history and archaeology, anchored in the Jura region.

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