Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Sarrebourg Country Museum was created in 1905 in Saarburg with an initial archaeological vocation. It has been enriched over time by a collection of decorative arts, including the porcelain and china of the Niderviller factory, as well as a space dedicated to Marc Chagall. His first installations were the Chapel of the Cordeliers (1927), then a 19th century house (1970), before settling in 2003 in a contemporary building designed by Bernard Desmoulin, rue de la Paix.

The collections cover more than 800 pieces, from the Gallo-Roman period (jewels, daily objects, murals) to medieval and modern sculptures. A drawing firm presents the preparatory works of the stained glass windows of Chagall for the cathedrals of Metz, Reims, the UN and the Chapel of the Cordeliers. The La Paix Tapestry (32.8 m2), by Yvette Cauquil-Prince, adorns the reception hall, while the stained glass windows of the neighbouring chapel, including La Paix (12 m high), constitute a major artistic extension.

The museum benefits from the label "Musée de France" and belongs to the network of Grands Sites de Moselle. Its themes revolve around three axes: regional archaeology (protohistoric necropolises, Roman city of Tarquimpol), the faiences of Niderviller (XVIII–XIXth centuries), and the work of Chagall. The current architecture, combining concrete and copper, is inspired by local farms and industrial buildings, reflecting the region's heritage identity.

Founded by A. Reusch, the museum first welcomed objects from archaeological excavations around Saarsburg. Its collections have extended to local history, fine arts and decorative arts, with a remarkable fund of 130 pieces from Niderviller, acquired through the Regional Acquisition Fund. Chagall's drawings, presented in rotation, offer unique insight into his creative process, in direct connection with the stained glass windows of the nearby Cordeliers Chapel.

The current site, inaugurated in 2003, met a need for space and conservation adapted to the expansion of collections. The museum plays a key role in valorizing Mosellan heritage, combining archaeological heritage, artisanal know-how (manufacture of Niderviller) and contemporary art (Chagall). Its integration into the urban fabric, near the Hôtel des Saintignon and the chapel, makes it a central cultural place for the region.

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