Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Old Bishop's Museum is housed in the old Bishop's Palace in Grenoble, a building whose oldest parts date back to the twelfth century, although its visible facades date mainly from the seventeenth century. Inaugurated in 1998 after extensive restoration work, it is dedicated to the history and heritage of Isère. The museum incorporates major archaeological remains, including a paleo-Christian baptistery of the fourth century and the remains of the first rampart of Grenoble, built at the end of the third century, discovered during excavations related to the construction of the tramway in 1989. These discoveries led to a change in the track of the tramway to preserve and enhance the site.

The Baptistery, used between the 4th and 10th centuries, testifies to the early establishment of a Christian community in Grenoble, then called Cularo. The excavations also revealed traces of occupation dating from the 2nd century BC, confirming the ancient development of the city on the left bank of the Isle. The episcopal group, including Notre Dame Cathedral and Saint-Hugues Church, was structured around these remains, with major transformations in the 13th and 17th centuries. The honorary staircase, built in 1673 under the episcopate of Stephen Le Camus, and the private chapel of the bishops, of style Restoration, illustrate these architectural developments.

The episcopal palace underwent various assignments after the Revolution, including a painting museum in 1800 before becoming a religious place again with the Concordat of 1801. In the 20th century, it hosted university institutes and, after 1982, was transformed into a departmental museum. The permanent exhibitions trace the history of Isère, from prehistory to industrialization, while temporary exhibitions, such as the one dedicated to Robert Doisneau in 2013, attract a varied audience. The museum is also a major archaeological site, with a crypt showing the remains of the Roman rampart and the Baptistery.

The museum actively participates in the cultural life of Grenoble, with events such as the European Museum Night and monthly guided tours of the Baptistery. Since 2004, it has been free of charge, in accordance with the policy of the departmental museums of Isère. Its garden, renovated in 2014, offers a view of the cathedral bedside and symbolically connects the museum with Grenoble's urban history. The collections include iconic objects such as Vézeronce's helmet and the reliquary of Sainte Épine, as well as models that reconstruct the architectural evolution of the site.

Archaeological excavations revealed that the episcopal group developed near the Herculea Gate (or Vienna), a major entrance to the ancient city, named after Emperor Maximien Hercules. The poterne of this door, still visible, and the remains of the wall of the third century enclosure are integrated into the museum path. The museum showcases these elements through models and reconstructions, such as the Gallo-Roman city of Cularo. Temporary exhibitions, often linked to artists or regional themes, complement this offer, with attendance records as in 2013 (99,095 visitors).

Directed by Isabelle Lazier from its opening in 1998 to 2020, the museum is part of a broader heritage project, including the rehabilitation of Notre Dame Square and the enhancement of the bishop's garden. The buildings, classified as Historical Monument for their facades, roofs and interior elements (scaling, ramp), combine medieval, classical and contemporary architecture. Today, the museum is a must to understand the history of Grenoble and its region, combining archaeology, art and industrial heritage.

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