After six years of renovation,the Musée des Augustins in Toulouse,France – one of the first museums created in the country in 1795 – partially reopened in December 2023. Housed within the former convent of the Hermits of Saint Augustine, the museum is renowned for its remarkable medieval architecture, classified as a ancient monument. The complex includes a large 14th-century cloister, a 15th-century church, a smaller 17th-century cloister, and a main gallery with 19th-century salons under a notable glass roof.
Contemporary Expansion
The renovation project involved several architectural firms. The most striking addition is by Aires mateus, who designed a contemporary white stone entrance from the Dordogne region, leading to a gently sloping forecourt. A new boutique-café, designed by heritage architect Axel Letellier, has also opened in a previously inaccessible space, showcasing renovated brick vaults and high ceilings.
Inside, heritage architect Virginie Lugol subtly enhanced the museum with improved signage, accessibility features at the base of the grand staircase designed by Viollet-le-Duc, and stone cleaning. A meaningful discovery was made during the renovations: “A passage between the small and large cloister,discovered on a 17th-century plan of the convent,has been brought back to light.”
Restoring the Grand cloister
The grand cloister, now accessible via the new entrance, is the final major component undergoing restoration. This work is led by bernard Voinchet, chief architect of historical monuments. “After the roofing and framework, the focus is now on restoring the 160 columns and white marble sculptures from the Saint-Béat quarries in southern Haute-Garonne. I am committed to restoring the original power of the place, after the many modifications made over the centuries,” he details.Ongoing tests with a scientific committee will determine the method used for this phase, which is scheduled for completion by mid-2027.
Worth a look