A museum proudly open to the city, the exhibition spaces and services provide a seamless welcome for visitors. A sweeping courtyard and display areas on several sides further heighten the commitment to bringing art to the street and the public to the museum. The intention of Stanton Williams was to create a coherent architectural and cultural itinerary, to better showcase art and collections from the 13th to the 21st centuries.
Completely bathed in natural light, the Musée d’arts blends past and present-day architecture to perfection. By its harmonious lines, it is a work of art in itself. Its majestic and recent renovation shows off to sublime effect three spaces which, by their architecture, reflect their times: the Palais dating back to 1900, the 17th-century Oratory Chapel and the Cube, a new building given over to contemporary art.
The Palais
This handsome building respects the principles of 19th-century museums such as in Lille or Amiens: wings organized around a central courtyard, the Patio, with a layered system of glass in the ceiling to allow natural light to stream through. This Patio leads to a double circuit of galleries surrounding it on the ground floor and the first floor via a monumental staircase. In the spacious galleries upstairs, the architects’ aim was to harness the natural daylight coming through the glass roof to enhance the look and the environment.
The Palais harbors specific spaces:
The Patio
Located at the heart of the Palais, this bright and airy monumental space stages major temporary exhibitions several times a year, transforming itself each time.
The Courtyard display area
This iconic exhibition area at the entrance to the Palais immediately emphasizes the importance of contemporary art for the Musée d’arts. Local artists unveil site-specific works there, midway between the museum and the street.
The Museum shop
The Museum shop can be reached from the Palais entrance hall. Inside, visitors will find postcards, stationery, games, jewelry and publications on the themes of the museum’s exhibitions and collections.
The Café du musée
Centrally located in the museum, this café-restaurant welcomes you for a tasty pit-stop in this exceptional setting! Whether for a meal, a snack or a nibbles platter, it’s always a good time to pop in!
Salle 21, on the first floor of the Palais
Boasting a collection ranging from the 13th century through to contemporary art, the museum intentionally creates a dialog between eras with temporary themed and cross-chronological exhibitions.
The Salle blanche
By excavating the Palais basement, it has been possible to create new public spaces, including an exhibition gallery called “Salle Blanche” (White Room). This might display photographs or drawings from the museum’s graphic arts collection, or temporary exhibitions.
The Auditorium
Centrally located, in the museum’s basement, the Auditorium is ideal for hosting concerts, conferences or film screenings. Available for private hire, you are also welcome to organize symposia, seminars or prize-giving ceremonies there, in a calm and creative atmosphere.
The library
The library can be accessed by appointment. It holds over 35,000 books, 20,000 artist’s portfolios and 200 journal titles dedicated to art from the 15th to the 21st centuries.
The Petit Salon
On the first floor of the Palais, amidst the 19th-century collection, there is a lounge area for visitors to take a break on their tour, whether alone or as a family. Please help yourself to the games, coloring-in pages and books put out for you. This is a cozy space to recharge your batteries – literally and figuratively!
The Chapelle de l’Oratoire
Built in the 17th century, the Chapelle de l’Oratoire (Oratory Chapel) used to be a religious building. This was a place of worship until 1772, when it became national property. Its purpose changed various times over almost two centuries, becoming, in turn, the seat of a criminal court, hospital, fodder barn and military police station. Bought by the City in 1963 for a token price of one French franc, the Chapel opened to the public in 1989. Following the museum’s renovation, it now forms an integral part of the visitor trail at the Musée d’arts de Nantes and hosts temporary exhibitions.
The Cube
As a bridge between the past and the present, this new building, inaugurated in 2017, is dedicated to contemporary art, representing a large proportion of the museum’s collections. Over 2 000 sq.m. are spread over four levels. The architects have taken great care to establish a coherency between the old and the new buildings.
An absolute architectural feat, there is a superb translucent curtain wall suspended alongside the steps, made of marble and laminated glass, letting in the changing natural light through the day. Temporary exhibitions can be organized on some of the Cube’s floors.