A Corot, a Marat, and temporarily silent walls
Behind the facade of the former Saint-Denis abbey on rue Chanzy, the Museum of Fine Arts of Reims holds one of the most significant collections in France dedicated to Camille Corot, trailing only the Louvre. It also houses a version of Jacques-Louis David's The Death of Marat, alongside works by Boucher, Monet, Gauguin, and Pissarro.
The building is currently closed to the public, and on-site visits are not available at this time.
Why this museum matters
The museum was established in 1794, formed from revolutionary confiscations of property seized from émigrés and religious institutions. It settled into the buildings of the former grand seminary, purchased by the city in 1908, before opening its doors on October 19, 1913, with President Raymond Poincaré presiding over the inauguration.
The collections owe much of their depth to the bequest of collector Henry Vasnier, who died in 1907 and significantly expanded the museum's holdings.
What you could see before the closure
Under normal conditions, the exhibits walked visitors through major European artistic movements from the 16th to the 20th century, arranged chronologically from the 1500s up to Art Deco.
The second floor brought together 17th-century classical and baroque paintings alongside 19th-century landscapes. On the ground floor, period rooms showcased decorative arts.
The museum today
Since September 2019, the building has been closed for the relocation of its collections, followed by renovation and expansion work led by the Portuguese architecture firm Aires Mateus. The site can no longer be visited in its usual layout.
Friendly tip: Several works from the collection are currently on view off-site or on loan to other institutions. If you are set on seeing a specific piece, such as The Death of Marat or the Corots, it is best to check its current location before making the trip to Reims.
How long for this activity
The Museum of Fine Arts of Reims is currently closed for renovation work, so on-site visits are not possible at this time.
The Museum of Fine Arts in Reims is very pleasant. It is a museum on a human scale and can be visited quite quickly. It still has some very beautiful works. Note that it is currently in the process of moving. Check the reopening date before you come.