Musée des Augustins
Quick answer
Musée des Augustins in Toulouse, France — established in 1795 in the cloisters of a former Augustinian monastery, the museum is one of the oldest in France. Open Wednesday to Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; closed Tuesdays. Admission: €5 standard admission. Allow 2 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Musée des Augustins at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Wednesday to Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Closed | Tuesdays |
| Admission | €5 standard admission |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 2 hours |
| Best time to visit | Weekday morning — the cloister garden is peaceful before midday. |
| Getting there | Metro: Esquirol or Capitole (Line A) — 5-minute walk |
| Address | 21 Rue de Metz, 31000 Toulouse, France |
| Official website | augustins.org |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Musée des Augustins known for?
The Musée des Augustins in Toulouse is one of the oldest museums in France, established in 1795 in the cloisters of a former Augustinian convent. The fourteenth-century Gothic architecture — with its double-lancet cloister arches — frames a collection spanning Romanesque sculpture to Impressionist painting.
The museum is especially celebrated for its Romanesque sculpture, including capitals and figures from the great cloisters of Saint-Sernin and Saint-Étienne, rescued and displayed in the convent's garden cloister. These stone carvings rank among the finest Romanesque works in southern France.
Paintings include works by Delacroix, Courbet, Ingres, and Toulouse-Lautrec — a native of the city. The museum's setting in the pink-brick heart of Toulouse makes it a cultural anchor of the Ville Rose.
Toulouse's role as a crossroads of Romanesque pilgrimage routes (the Camino de Santiago passes through) gives the sculpture collection particular historical resonance.
Best for: Medieval Art Lovers · Romanesque Sculpture Fans · Art Lovers
How long do you need at Musée des Augustins?
Allow 2 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Musée des Augustins without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Romanesque Capitals from Saint-Sernin
📍 Cloister Garden
Carved capitals depicting biblical scenes, monsters, and foliage from Toulouse's great Romanesque basilica, displayed in the open cloister.
- 2
The Battle of Taillebourg
📍 Romantic Gallery
Delacroix's dramatic history painting of a thirteenth-century battle, showing his mastery of colour and movement.
- 3
Portrait of Madame Moitessier
📍 Neoclassical Gallery
Ingres' second portrait of Marie-Clotilde-Inès Moitessier, a tour de force of line and textile rendering.
- 4
Romanesque Christ in Majesty
📍 Romanesque Sculpture Gallery
A powerful Romanesque figure of Christ enthroned, originally from a Toulouse church portal.
What are the must-see works at Musée des Augustins?
4 highlights that define the collection: Romanesque Capitals from Saint-Sernin, The Battle of Taillebourg, Portrait of Madame Moitessier and more.
Romanesque Capitals from Saint-Sernin
Unknown sculptors · 11th–12th century
📍 Cloister Garden
Carved capitals depicting biblical scenes, monsters, and foliage from Toulouse's great Romanesque basilica, displayed in the open cloister.
The Battle of Taillebourg
Eugène Delacroix · 1837
📍 Romantic Gallery
Delacroix's dramatic history painting of a thirteenth-century battle, showing his mastery of colour and movement.
Portrait of Madame Moitessier
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres · 1856
📍 Neoclassical Gallery
Ingres' second portrait of Marie-Clotilde-Inès Moitessier, a tour de force of line and textile rendering.
Romanesque Christ in Majesty
Unknown · 12th century
📍 Romanesque Sculpture Gallery
A powerful Romanesque figure of Christ enthroned, originally from a Toulouse church portal.
Collections and highlights
- • Romanesque sculpture from Toulouse churches
- • Gothic and medieval art
- • Delacroix and French Romantic painting
- • Ingres and Neoclassical portraits
- • Courbet and Realist works
- • Toulouse-Lautrec and regional artists
- • Fourteenth-century cloister architecture
- • Sculpture garden in the cloister
Tips for visiting Musée des Augustins
- 1.
Best time to visit
Weekday morning — the cloister garden is peaceful before midday.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Generally quiet; one of the less crowded major French museums.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
Around €5 standard admission; free first Sunday of the month.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Restaurants around Place du Capitole; Toulouse cassoulet specialists nearby.
- 5.
Accessibility
Ground floor and cloister accessible; upper galleries have stairs.
How do you get to Musée des Augustins?
- metro Esquirol or Capitole (Line A) — 5-minute walk
- walk Central Toulouse, between the Capitole and the Garonne river
- bus Multiple city buses stop at Esquirol near the museum
Address: 21 Rue de Metz, 31000 Toulouse, France
Musée des Augustins: frequently asked questions
Is the cloister included?
Yes, both the cloister and the church nave are part of the visit.
Are organ recitals held here?
Yes, the museum regularly hosts concerts on its restored Cavaillé-Coll organ.
How long should I spend at Musée des Augustins?
Plan 2 hours for the highlights of Musée des Augustins. Our 4-stop route — Romanesque Capitals from Saint-Sernin, The Battle of Taillebourg, Portrait of Madame Moitessier and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Musée des Augustins best known for?
Established in 1795 in the cloisters of a former Augustinian monastery, the museum is one of the oldest in France. The medieval architecture frames a remarkable collection of Romanesque sculpture from the great cloisters of Toulouse. Key highlights include Romanesque cloister capitals, Crucifixion by Rubens, Salon Rouge of nineteenth-century paintings.
How do I get tickets for Musée des Augustins?
Admission: €5 standard admission. Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.augustins.org/en/
Is the cloister included in admission?
Yes — the fourteenth-century cloister and its Romanesque sculpture garden are part of the museum visit.
Does the museum have Toulouse-Lautrec works?
Yes — as Toulouse-Lautrec's home city, the museum holds works by the artist alongside its broader collection.
Is this worth a detour from Paris?
Toulouse is a major city on the TGV route to Barcelona. The museum's Romanesque sculpture and cloister alone justify a half-day stop.
Is Musée des Augustins open on Tuesdays?
No — Musée des Augustins is closed every Tuesday. It is open Wednesday to Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Plan a different museum for that day, and check the official website for holiday changes.
What are Musée des Augustins's opening hours?
Musée des Augustins is open Wednesday to Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, and closed Tuesdays. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is Musée des Augustins free to visit?
No — standard admission is €5 standard admission.