One of France's most important art museums outside Paris, with a collection spanning the 13th century to the present day. Works by Matisse, Monet, Rubens, Chagall, Picasso, and Warhol hang alongside Egyptian antiquities and Greek and Roman artifacts. The modern building on Place de Lavalette has generous natural light. Closed Tuesdays.
Musée de Grenoble
One of France's top art museums outside Paris, from medieval to Warhol
| Address | 5 Place de Lavalette |
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A story
In 1798, Grenoble's town council donated its collection of artworks to found the museum — making it the first city in France to create a public art museum by civic action rather than royal decree. The Louvre opened the same year, but by royal confiscation of the palace. Grenoble's citizens did it differently, and the tradition of civic acquisition continued: the museum has a reputation for buying young artists early, including Picasso and Matisse works purchased when both were still controversial.