The museum features a full-scale reconstruction of an Egyptian tomb from the Middle Kingdom.
The Egyptian collection was significantly enhanced by the acquisition of artifacts brought back by travelers in the 19th century.
The building was originally designed as a palace for the Bishops of Le Mans before being converted into a public museum in the 19th century.
The painting collection includes works by masters such as Philippe de Champaigne and Hyacinthe Rigaud.
The museum is strategically located to provide a direct transition into the Jardin des Plantes, Le Mans' largest public garden.
The institution hosts a specialized cabinet of decorative arts reflecting the lifestyle of the local aristocracy.
The Musée de Tessé is the fine arts museum of Le Mans, housed in an 18th-century former episcopal palace. It is particularly renowned for its Egyptian collection and its significant holding of Flemish and French paintings. The museum sits on the edge of the Jardin des Plantes, a historic botanical park. Its collections span from ancient Egyptian artifacts, including a reconstruction of a tomb, to European fine arts from the 14th to the 19th centuries. The gallery layout allows visitors to trace the evolution of religious and secular art through the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The facility also functions as a research center for regional art history.
The central staircase inside the museum and the view of the museum's facade from within the Jardin des Plantes.
Combine your visit with a walk through the adjacent Jardin des Plantes to see diverse botanical species.
Check the museum's temporary exhibition space, as it frequently rotates displays of graphic arts.
Pick up a printed guide at the entrance to better understand the thematic organization of the Egyptian tomb reconstruction.
Do not rush through the Egyptian exhibit; the tomb reconstruction requires time to appreciate the layout and detail.
Closed on Mondays and certain public holidays.
