Ah, the French. They all seem to have that je ne sais quoi. Perhaps it’s the romantic background of the Eiffel Tower, the sexy accent, or the passionate artists.
And speaking of artists … everyone knows the Louvre, but here’s a diamond in the rough. After ten years of renovation, the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum is finally ready and open to the public.
The museum is located in the city center of Albi and holds the largest public collection by celebrated artists, with over 1,000 works by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec spotlighted. That’s some providence! The painter is on the same tier with the likes of Van Gogh and Cézanne as one of the greatest painters of the post-impressionist period. His works, presented in chronological order, are famed for capturing the notorious French nightlife of the 19th century with a collection of portraits of performers including the can can dancers of the Moulins Rouge. You’ll see everything from paintings to lithographs to drawings. The museum cozies up inside the 13th century fortress of the Palais de la Berbie and the Cathédrale Sainte –Cécile, a historical gem where the extent of the power of the Episcopal bishops from that time period is evident.
Ten years is a long, long time to be deprived of a representation of a quintessential epoch in French culture. So, why was it worth the wait? The grand reopening presented 470 square meters of additional galleries, a 156-seat auditorium, an enhanced interpretation of the collections and extensive renovation of the structures. Additional improvements include updated facilities, better conservation techniques, heightened security, a workshop area and a large documentation center with 2,500 collections.
Additionally, the Toulouse-Lautrec just scored an exceptional 2-year loan of major works from the Musée D’Orsay. With over 160,000 visitors yearly, the Toulouse-Lautrec seems well on its way to becoming a major contemporary museum. Scope it out, then brag that you were in on it first.