Musee de Grenoble (Museum of Grenoble), Grenoble (must see)
The Museum of Grenoble, founded in 1798, is one of the most prestigious art institutions in Europe, renowned for its exceptional collection spanning from the 13th century to contemporary times. Its holdings include over 900 works, showcasing masterpieces from Western art history across periods and movements. Among its highlights are Rubens' Saint Gregory the Pope, Zurbar谩n鈥檚 celebrated Spanish religious paintings, Matisse鈥檚 Interior with Aubergines, Warhol鈥檚 Portrait of Jackie Kennedy, and Woman Reading鈥攖he first Picasso painting acquired by a French public collection in 1921.
The museum鈥檚 origins trace back to the aftermath of the French Revolution, when citizens of Grenoble petitioned to protect confiscated artworks, leading to the museum鈥檚 founding under the leadership of Louis-Joseph Jay. Originally housed in the Bishop鈥檚 Palace, the collection was enriched early on with works from regional abbeys and through government allocations. Major acquisitions and generous bequests throughout the 19th and 20th centuries鈥攊ncluding those from L茅once Mesnard and General de Beyli茅鈥攇reatly expanded the museum鈥檚 holdings, ultimately necessitating the construction of a new building in 1876 on Place de Verdun.
In 1994, the museum moved to its current modern building on Place Lavalette, on the site of a 13th-century Franciscan convent. Designed by a team of Grenoble architects, the new space includes 57 galleries and a sculpture garden, reflecting the museum鈥檚 ongoing commitment to both its historical roots and modern sensibilities. Recognized as the first museum of modern art in France, it continues to play a central role in the country鈥檚 cultural life through major temporary exhibitions and its comprehensive collections of ancient, modern, and contemporary art.
The museum鈥檚 origins trace back to the aftermath of the French Revolution, when citizens of Grenoble petitioned to protect confiscated artworks, leading to the museum鈥檚 founding under the leadership of Louis-Joseph Jay. Originally housed in the Bishop鈥檚 Palace, the collection was enriched early on with works from regional abbeys and through government allocations. Major acquisitions and generous bequests throughout the 19th and 20th centuries鈥攊ncluding those from L茅once Mesnard and General de Beyli茅鈥攇reatly expanded the museum鈥檚 holdings, ultimately necessitating the construction of a new building in 1876 on Place de Verdun.
In 1994, the museum moved to its current modern building on Place Lavalette, on the site of a 13th-century Franciscan convent. Designed by a team of Grenoble architects, the new space includes 57 galleries and a sculpture garden, reflecting the museum鈥檚 ongoing commitment to both its historical roots and modern sensibilities. Recognized as the first museum of modern art in France, it continues to play a central role in the country鈥檚 cultural life through major temporary exhibitions and its comprehensive collections of ancient, modern, and contemporary art.
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Musee de Grenoble (Museum of Grenoble) on Map
Sight Name: Musee de Grenoble (Museum of Grenoble)
Sight Location: Grenoble, France (See walking tours in Grenoble)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Grenoble, France (See walking tours in Grenoble)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Grenoble, France
Create Your Own Walk in Grenoble
Creating your own self-guided walk in Grenoble is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Grenoble Introduction Walking Tour
Grenoble, nestled at the foot of the French Alps, offers a unique blend of natural beauty, history, and innovation that appeals to a wide range of visitors. The city is surrounded by dramatic mountain landscapes and crisscrossed by rivers, making it a gateway for outdoor adventures like hiking, skiing, and paragliding. At the same time, its compact center is filled with lively squares, pedestrian... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles