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Key figures

Origin and history

The Antoine-Vivenel Museum has its origins in the generous legacy of Antoine Vivenel, an architect and collector passionate about ancient and reborn art. In 1839 he offered his hometown, Compiègne, a vast collection of art objects, including Greek, Roman, Egyptian and medieval pieces, as well as Renaissance works. This donation was initially intended to create a multi-purpose museum combining art, science and teaching, but the project was reduced due to lack of resources, limiting its development to a modest space in the city hall for a century.

In 1952, the museum was transferred to the private hotel of Songeons-Bicquilley, an 18th-century building built on the ruins of a Dominican monastery founded by Saint Louis and destroyed during the Revolution. The surrounding two-hectare park preserves Gothic remains of the abbey, such as arches, doors and a statue of Saint Dominique, as well as neoclassical elements from an ancient cemetery. This historic setting now hosts temporary exhibitions and cultural events, enriching the museum's offer.

The museum's collections have been diversified over time through local archaeological excavations, such as those of the Gallic sanctuary of Gournay-sur-Aronde (1975-1984), and by deposits of the State or the Société historique de Compiègne. Among its treasures are Greek ceramics, Gallo-Roman objects of the Temple of Champlieu, Egyptian mummies, and European decorative art pieces of the 16th and 17th centuries, such as majolica, Rhinestone sandstones or Limoges enamels. The museum also extends to extra-European and contemporary art through collaborations with local associations.

Since 1998, the museum has used the old church of Saint Pierre-des-Minimes (XII century) to organize temporary exhibitions, combining historical heritage and contemporary art. This complementary place allows to showcase works related to permanent collections, while offering a showcase for modern creations, in partnership with the Art Present association.

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