The collection includes Romanesque capitals salvaged from the Saint-Sernin Basilica during 19th-century renovations.
The museum preserves the 'Gargoyles of the Jacobins' which were relocated for preservation.
The site was established as a public museum in 1793, making it one of the oldest in France.
The Gothic cloister is one of the few surviving parts of the original monastic complex.
The museum holds a large collection of terracotta sculptures, a medium historically associated with Toulouse's artisanal tradition.
The Musée des Augustins is Toulouse's fine arts museum, housed within a former 14th-century Augustinian monastery. Its collection spans from the Middle Ages to the 1940s, featuring a significant repository of Romanesque sculpture salvaged from destroyed religious buildings in the city. The museum is structured around a cloister, reflecting its historical monastic origins. The gallery displays extensive collections of French painting from the 17th to the early 20th century. Notable holdings include works by Peter Paul Rubens, Murillo, and Ingres. The museum is currently finalizing a long-term, multi-phase renovation project known as 'Grand Augustins' aimed at restoring historical spaces and improving accessibility. It serves as the primary municipal repository for artistic heritage in Toulouse.
The central Gothic cloister garden, particularly when the greenery contrasts with the ancient stone walls.
Check the museum's official website for current accessibility, as the 'Grand Augustins' renovation may limit access to specific galleries.
Focus on the cloister garden for a quiet break, as it is one of the few green spaces within the museum complex.
Visit the sculpture gallery first to better understand the local Romanesque history of the region.
Do not attempt to visit without checking for current construction closures, as parts of the permanent collection rotate frequently during the ongoing renovation.
Closed on Tuesdays; subject to partial closures and rerouted entry due to the multi-year 'Grand Augustins' renovation project.
No flash photography; maintain a quiet volume in the galleries; refrain from touching the sculptures.
