The Palais de la Berbie was built as a fortress palace for the Bishops of Albi and intentionally lacks defensive towers to signal its status as a residence rather than a military outpost.
The museum collection was established in 1922 following a donation from the artist's mother, the Comtesse Adèle de Toulouse-Lautrec.
The palace garden is a meticulously maintained formal French-style garden integrated into the historic ramparts.
The museum holds over 1,000 works by Toulouse-Lautrec, including his early academic portraits and his iconic depictions of Montmartre cabaret life.
The Palais de la Berbie is constructed from the same iconic red brick characteristic of the adjacent Sainte-Cécile Cathedral.
The Musée Toulouse-Lautrec is housed within the Palais de la Berbie, a 13th-century former episcopal palace in Albi, France. It holds the world's largest public collection of works by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, a native of Albi. The collection spans his entire career, encompassing paintings, drawings, and his complete set of 31 posters. Beyond the artist’s work, the museum displays a significant collection of modern art including pieces by Matisse and Rouault. The building itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a primary example of medieval military architecture. Visitors can explore the preserved apartments of the former bishops within the palace walls. The gardens of the Palais de la Berbie offer views overlooking the Tarn River and the Pont Vieux.
From the terrace of the Palais de la Berbie looking down toward the formal gardens and the Tarn river.
Prioritize viewing the lithograph collection, as these posters are sensitive to light and are displayed in controlled conditions.
Visit the palace gardens after the museum tour for a clear view of the Tarn river valley.
Use the provided museum map to navigate the palace's complex layout, which includes both modern gallery spaces and historical rooms.
Attempting to see the cathedral and the museum in a single hour; both sites require significant time to appreciate fully.
Closed on Tuesdays during the low season.
Photography without flash is permitted for personal use; refrain from touching the historic walls or artwork frames.
