A rich and enlightening museum

Vue de la salle antique du musée avec buste de dos, vitrines de présentation de pièces romaines, et chapiteaux de colonnes au fond.

Opening in 2020, the Montmaurin museum showcases the archaeological treasures found in and around the town. After taking advantage of the interactive model, which presents the 350,000-year history of this remarkable site, discover the surprising collections of the Montmaurin museum!

A prehistoric space

Located at the entrance to the Gorges de la Save (link to focus), the Montmaurin site regularly reveals traces of prehistoric occupation. Immerse yourself in the wildlife of the time, and discover the impressive skeleton of a cave lion in the Grotte Coupe-Gorge!

And don't miss the " Venus de Lespugue ", a small female statuette found on August 9, 1922 by René and Suzanne de Saint-Périer (link to focus) in the Grotte des Rideaux. It is made of mammoth ivory and measures 15 cm in height. A reproduction is displayed in the showcase, opening up the question of prehistoric representations and decorations.

Showcases with lithic furniture and tiger skeleton presented in the museum - prehistoric room — Prehistoric room of the Montmaurin museum
David Bordes / Centre des monuments nationaux

A dense and varied antique collection

Montmaurin's archaeological museum boasts an extensive collection of antiques from archaeological digs carried out at the town's Gallo-Roman villa sites.

The objects found illustrate the luxury and comfort of these aristocratic estates. On display are relics of daily life: sigillated pottery coins and jewelry. You'll also see traces of villa decoration (frescoes, mosaics) and fragments of sculptures. As erudite aristocrats, the ancient owners of Montmaurin staged the Adonis Myth, of which we've found a few fragments, and the figure of Venus, who seems to be regularly summoned, notably in the nymphaeum.

View of the antique room of the museum with bust from the back, showcases displaying Roman pieces, and column capitals at the back. — Ancient hall of the Montmaurin museum
David Bordes / Centre des monuments nationaux

Today, Montmaurin's archaeological museum offers an indispensable complement to the discovery of the villas, thanks to all the objects that bear witness to the intense life of the time.