Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Musée d'Evreux, also known as the Museum of the Old Bishopric or Museum of Art, History and Archaeology, was founded in 1873. Since 1961, it has occupied the former Episcopal Palace, a late 15th century building connected to Notre Dame Cathedral by a cloister. This building, built on the remains of the Gallo-Roman enclosure, was classified as a historical monument in 1907. The museum exhibits approximately 1,500 m2 of collections spread over four levels, including Gallo-Roman foundations visible in the basements.

The episcopal palace was erected at the end of the 15th century under the impulse of Raoul du Fou, bishop of Evreux. Originally installed in 1880 in another building (now the Solange Baudoux Art House), the museum was transferred to the former bishopric in 1961. Alphonse Chassant, paleographer, was the first curator. The museum presents various collections, ranging from local archaeology (including a statue of Jupiter Stator) to medieval, modern and contemporary works of art.

The permanent collections include tapestries from Aubusson (14th century), paintings from the 17th to 19th centuries (Flandrin, Boudin, Rodin), as well as works from the 20th century (Léger, Soulages, Zao Wou-Ki). The museum also organizes temporary exhibitions, such as those dedicated to Pierre Célice (2010) or to the jewels of Elsa Triollet (2016).

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