Visit the MAAP, the museum of art and archeology of Périgord

In Périgueux, the Périgord Art and Archeology Museum is the oldest of the Périgord museums! Managed by the municipality and installed over 22 Tourny, it was founded in 1835, but its beginnings date back to the early 19^th century. It is a visit that leads curious people of all ages, through superb archaeological collections, fine arts, prehistoric art but also ethnology. Several wings are to be discovered, as well as a floor and a garden in a reconstituted cloister which houses the lapidary collections of the Gallo-Roman, medieval and Renaissance periods, as well as the remains of buildings of the city and of the Saint-Front cathedral. On the way for a cultural as well as a historical visit.

Photos and video © Guide du Périgord

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The MAAP, in its building specially constructed to house its precious collections

If the museum of art and archeology of Perigord is now installed Tourny course in a beautiful building from the early 20^th century, specially created by an architect to receive it, he moved several times before finding this place is due to him. The beginnings of this museum date back to the early 19^th century, then there is antiques and is managed privately by the Wlgrin Count Taillefer. In 1836, the museum becomes departmental and its collections are enriched, it moves several times. Private donations allow the creation of different sections: archeology, fine arts works with local but also national and European 16^th  century to today. In 1893, a competition was launched with architects for the construction of a building that could accommodate the museum and all its collections, it was the project of architect Charles Planckaert (in french) that was selected. Today, 33,500 references are listed in its inventories and the permanent exhibition takes place over 2000m2, taking visitors on a journey through the visual arts, time and cultures.

MAAP visit

This museum is a real institution, it allows the study of visual arts from a local, European and non-European point of view (with beautiful collections of objects from Africa and Oceania). It is accessible at a low price, it would be a shame to do without it, especially since it enters the Grand Périgueux Tourist Pass (to have a 50% reduction on visits), you can also take advantage of it with a ticket. paired for the beautiful Vesunna Museum. Locals can even request an individual subscription card to come back as many times as they want for 1 year.

Are you visiting Périgueux ? Organize your discovery with the Guide of Périgord. We offer you a nature walk, to discover the city from a surprising vegetal angle! If you want to stroll to meet architectural pearls, follow our heritage walk in the old center of Périgueux.

Allow at least 1h30 for the visit of the MAAP and bring the booklet at reception to fully understand the collections and objects present. You can also request a guided tour with commentary for a small supplement. A map of the museum and cards in the form of specially adapted treasure hunts are available at reception to make the visit attractive to younger audiences. There are also discovery notebooks to better understand the collections and help with the observation of important elements.

During school holidays, workshops are organized by MAAP for children from 6 years old and families.

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The collections of the MAAP de Périgueux

The varied collections, well-designed and thought-out spaces are perfect for discovering works and local history, Périgord still has secrets to reveal to you.

The museum consists of two wings, a floor and a cloister. The outdoor space and its small green course can be done at the beginning or at the end of the visit. This cloister was designed from scratch, it is an original idea of the architect to highlight the medieval collections and the remains of buildings in the city. Funerary, civil, military and religious art are exhibited to offer a poetic, romantic stroll. 90 pieces from the old church prior to the Saint-Front Cathedral (moved at the beginning of the 20^th century) are kept at the museum.

 

The east wing (to the left as you enter) begins with a room with paintings and objects of medieval art, it is a tribute to the creators of the museum. Then you enter a space with windows that allow you to discover the 7 ^th ethnographic collection in France from Africa and Oceania. Sculpture, ornaments, ritual objects... Upstairs, there are 2 halls with archaeological collections of high quality (4^th collection of prehistoric remains France) flints, fossils, art and painted furniture carved...

 

 

Back at home on the right is the West Wing that has chronologically into five rooms, the history of artistic creation in Perigord, France and Europe from the 16^th to 21^st century. Architecture, sculpture, painting, furniture and works of art...

 

Temporary exhibitions are organized within the walls of the MAAP, 3 to 4 times a year, to reveal the hidden treasures that are in the inventories, the 33,500 references not being able to all be exhibited at the same time! Contemporary artists also come to exhibit their works regularly to make the museum a lively and enriching place. European Heritage Days, Museum Night, school holidays and participation in Périgord festivals, there is always new things to discover in this museum!

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