Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Petiet Museum is rooted in the artistic passion of the Petiet family, descendant of General Pierre Claude Petiet. Léopold-Henri Petiet and his brother François-Auguste, amateur painters and mayors of La Bezole, acquired a house in Limoux to install their workshop. In 1880, Léopold-Henri offered this residence to the city to create a school of drawing and a museum, accompanying the gift of his family collection: copies of the Petiet brothers and original paintings by Marie Petiet, their niece became a renowned artist.

The collection was enriched between 1902 and 1912 by Étienne Dujardin-Beaumetz, husband of Marie Petiet, Senator of the Aude and Under-Secretary of State for Fine Arts. It complements works with state deposits, diversifying the currents represented: academicism, pictorialism, impressionism, pointillism and orientalism. The museum, housed in renovated terraced houses, preserves a period decor (painted walls, old tiles, glass windows) and a typical furniture of the late 19th century.

Today, the Petiet Museum offers permanent exhibitions featuring local artists such as Marie Petiet and Achille Lauge, as well as four annual temporary exhibitions. It organizes guided tours, lectures and cultural events, while closing its doors from 25 December to 1 January. Its label Musée de France underlines its heritage importance in the Occitanie region.

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