France Avignon Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Museum

Musée Lapidaire

About

Housed in the former Jesuit College on Rue de la République, the Musée Lapidaire is one of Avignon’s most atmospheric museums, dedicated to archaeology and ancient civilizations. Its collections, drawn largely from the holdings of the Musée Calvet, showcase remarkable artifacts from Egypt, Greece, and Rome, alongside prehistoric finds and medieval sculpture. Visitors can wander through galleries filled with sarcophagi, stelae, mosaics, and fragments of temples that evoke the grandeur of antiquity. The museum’s setting, with vaulted halls and austere architecture, enhances the sense of stepping back in time, offering a contemplative space where history and art converge. Recognized as part of the network of Musées de France, the Lapidaire is not only a repository of archaeological treasures but also a testament to Avignon’s long-standing role as a crossroads of culture. It remains a must‑see for those seeking to explore the deep roots of Mediterranean heritage in the heart of Provence.

Avignon France

Location

Musée Lapidaire is located at 27 Rue de la République in the heart of Avignon's historic center, housed in the striking 17th-century former chapel of the Jesuit College, a Baroque architectural gem on the city's main pedestrian thoroughfare. This free archaeological museum, part of the Calvet Museum collections, lies just inside the medieval city walls, a quick 10-minute walk from Avignon Centre train station and easily accessible amid the bustling old town. Nearby sites create an enriching cultural cluster. The elegant Musée Calvet occupies the nearby Hôtel de Villeneuve-Martignan on Rue Joseph Vernet, showcasing fine arts and archaeology, while Place de l'Horloge buzzes with cafés, theaters, and a historic carousel a few steps away. Further uphill, the Palais des Papes, Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Doms, and Musée du Petit Palais dominate Place du Palais, all linked by lively streets lined with boutiques and leading to the Rhône River and Pont d’Avignon.