Angoulême Museum used to be known as the Musée des Beaux-Arts. In March 2008, after several years of restoration, it re-opened as the Musée d’Angoulême and this fine looking building has since established itself as one of the most visited attractions in the Charente.

The Musée d’Angoulême has two collections which it describes as being of ‘international importance’. One is a collection of African and Oceanic (that is from the Pacific islands and Australia) art, including masks, sculptures and other works. It also contains items from North Africa – the Maghreb – and is considered one of the most important French collections of its kind.

The other is devoted to the history of the Charente, from geological times, through prehistoric humans to the Middle Ages. One of the most fascinating features of this collection is the geological section, where you learn that this area was underwater for 110 million years, which left a layer of sediment 1 km deep. This was the era when dinosaurs roamed the Earth and exciting finds of fossils and bones have been found; the archaeological work is being overseen by the museum.

Another key part of the collection is the presence of Neanderthal man and early humans in the area; the Charente has a number of sites with remains of humans and prehistoric art and remains, even if sadly they are not all open to the public. Yet another important element of the Charente collection is its focus on the area’s Romanesque architecture dating from early Medieval times.

In addition to these collections the museum also has a wide range of paintings, sculptures, ceramics and weapons from the 16th century to the start of the 20th century.
Alongside the permanent exhibitions there are regular temporary ones, as well activities and events organised by the museum. There is also a shop selling postcards, semi-precious stones, books, games and jewellery.

Address and Contact Information
Musée d’Angoulême
1 rue de Friedland
16000 Angoulême
nb entrance is via Square Girard II

Tel: +33 5 45 95 79 88
Website: musee-angouleme.fr