Musée des Augustins
Toulouse · France · Founded 1795
Good for: Medieval Art Lovers · Romanesque Sculpture Fans · Art Lovers
1795
Founded
4,000+
Works on Display
2 hours
Recommended Visit
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. World Museum Guide covers the highlights, getting there, and how long to allow (2 hours).
Verified 2026-06-30 against official sources.
About Musée des Augustins
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.
2 hours highlights route
A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Musée des Augustins without museum fatigue. · 2 hours
- 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.
Masterworks & must-see highlights
The works that define Musée des Augustins — and why they matter.
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 & 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
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 2–3 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and 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?
€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.
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