The current abbey buildings were constructed between 1750 and 1780 to replace the medieval monastery destroyed by fire.
The museum holds a unique collection of 17th-century large-format religious paintings known as the 'Mays' from Notre-Dame de Paris, relocated here after World War I.
The Arras porcelain collection held by the museum includes pieces featuring the signature 'AR' mark.
The Abbey's vast refectory and cellar are used to display sculpture and archaeological findings unearthed in the region.
The museum was established following the French Revolution to house works of art confiscated from the church and local nobility.
The Beaux-Arts Museum of Arras is housed within the 18th-century Saint-Vaast Abbey, a former Benedictine monastery. It features an extensive collection of Northern French and Flemish paintings, sculptures, and religious artifacts dating from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. The building itself is a masterpiece of Neoclassical architecture, featuring vaulted galleries and a central courtyard. The collection is particularly noted for its large-scale works, including pieces recovered from local churches after the French Revolution. A significant portion of the museum's space is dedicated to the history of the abbey and the city of Arras. The museum preserves the ornate cloister and the original abbatial church, which now serves as a high-ceilinged exhibition hall. The collection includes notable porcelain works from the Arras factory, a key local industry in the 18th century.
The wide-angle perspective from the center of the arcaded inner courtyard.
Prioritize visiting the 'Mays' collection in the abbey’s former refectory for the most impressive scale.
Check for temporary thematic exhibitions in the abbatial church, which rotate throughout the year.
Spend time in the inner courtyards, which offer a quiet atmosphere distinct from the main street.
Attempting to see the entire collection in under an hour, as the layout is expansive and sprawling across different levels.
Closed on Tuesdays.
Maintain a quiet tone in the galleries; photography without flash is generally permitted.
