Musée Lapidaire: Avignon's Ancient Echoes

The Musée Lapidaire, an annex of the Musée Calvet, is located in the heart of Avignon, France, at 27 Rue de la République. This museum is housed in the former Jesuit church, also known as the Chapel of the College, a beautiful example of 17th-century Baroque architecture. The chapel itself is a work of art, with construction beginning in 1620 and consecrated in 1655. Its design, initially conceived by Étienne Martelange and later entrusted to François de Royers de la Valfenière, showcases a blend of architectural styles.The Musée Lapidaire has been home to Avignon's archaeological collections since 1933. The collections include Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Gallo-Roman, early Christian, and Gallic artifacts. Visitors can explore a diverse range of items, including Greek funerary reliefs, Attic vases, Roman sculptures, and Celtic monuments. Highlights include a monumental statue of a draped woman from the collection of Cardinal Richelieu and the Tarasque of Noves, a unique androphage monster.The museum's collection originated from the cabinet of curiosities of Esprit Calvet (1728-1810), the founder of the Musée Calvet. Over the years, the collection has been enriched through acquisitions and donations, including a portion of the Venetian Nani di San Trovaso collection in 1841 and a donation from Marcel Puech in 1986. In 2018, a selection of Egyptian works joined the collection.The Musée Lapidaire offers visitors a journey through time, showcasing the diverse cultures that have shaped the region. The museum is free to enter and is open from Tuesday to Sunday.