Inside a 17th-century Jesuit chapel, thousands of years of Mediterranean history wait to be discovered through stone, from Greek steles to Etruscan urns.

Welcome to the Lapidary Museum, where Avignon's archaeological heart beats within the soaring walls of a baroque chapel. As an annex to the renowned Calvet Museum, this specialized institution transforms a historic religious space into a sanctuary for ancient stones that speak across millennia.

The marriage of architecture and artifacts creates an atmosphere unlike any typical museum. Stone sculptures and inscriptions that once stood in Greek cemeteries, Roman villas, and Gallic settlements now find themselves framed by the elegant proportions of Jesuit architecture.

From Jesuit College to Archaeological Haven

The museum's home began construction in 1616 as the chapel for Avignon's Jesuit College. Architect Étienne Martellange initiated the project, but it was François de la Valfenière who shaped much of what visitors see today from 1620 onwards, raising the nave walls to their main cornice.

By the 1980s, this baroque chapel had found new purpose as the home for the Calvet Museum's archaeological collections. Recognized as a historic monument since 1928, the building itself became part of the exhibition. The space's transformation demonstrates Avignon's commitment to preserving both its architectural heritage and its ancient past under one roof.

A Journey Through Ancient Civilizations

The museum's collections span from prehistory through early Christianity, with particular strength in Greek, Roman, Etruscan, and Gallic artifacts. Greek funerary steles from the 4th and 5th centuries BC reveal intimate family scenes, including the Stela of Glykon showing the goddess Hecate in triple form.

Roman sculptures include a mysterious veiled woman holding a patera, possibly a priestess, and a fascinating two-headed Hermes. Etruscan funerary monuments sit alongside Greek vases and oil lamps, while marble urns bear epitaphs to Romans like C. Silius Herma. The prehistoric highlight remains the Courthézon Stela, carved from limestone millennia ago.

Where Architecture Meets Archaeology

What sets this museum apart is the dialogue between container and contents. The chapel's baroque grandeur provides an unexpected backdrop for ancient stones, creating a visual conversation between 17th-century Catholic ambition and pagan antiquity.

Beyond its permanent displays, the Lapidary Museum transforms each summer with temporary exhibitions exploring specialized themes. Past exhibitions have examined Egyptian cult diffusion in the Roman world and Coptic Egypt. The museum also serves as a scholarly hub, hosting conferences and networking events that bring researchers together to discuss Mediterranean archaeology in this inspiring setting.

Lapidary Museum Highlights & Tips

• The Greek Stele Collection Don't miss the 4th-century BC funerary steles showing intimate scenes of daily life. The Stela of Glykon depicts the triple goddess Hecate, while another shows a young woman presenting a duck to her mistress.
• The Courthézon Stela The museum's prehistoric centerpiece, this ancient limestone stela represents the region's earliest artistic expressions and offers a window into life thousands of years before written history.
• Two-Headed Hermes This unusual Roman sculpture of the messenger god with two faces is a rare example of Janus-like representation in Hermes imagery.
• The Chapel Architecture The 17th-century Jesuit chapel itself is a highlight. Notice how François de la Valfenière's baroque design creates dramatic vertical space that enhances the ancient sculptures.
• Visit During Summer Summer brings rotating temporary exhibitions on specialized archaeological topics. Check the museum website before visiting to see what special exhibition might be on display.
• Location in Central Avignon The museum is located at 27 rue de la République in central Avignon, making it easy to combine with visits to other city attractions like the Palais des Papes.
• Part of the Calvet Museum Network Your ticket may provide access to both the Lapidary Museum and the main Calvet Museum. Ask about combined tickets to experience both institutions.
• Scholarly Events If you're interested in archaeology, check for upcoming conferences and scholarly events, which are sometimes open to interested public attendees.

The Lapidary Museum offers something rare: a chance to encounter the ancient Mediterranean world in an intimate, contemplative setting. Each stele and sculpture carries stories of individuals who lived millennia ago, their names and faces preserved in stone.

Whether you're drawn to Greek artistry, Roman inscriptions, or simply the beauty of well-preserved antiquities, this museum rewards careful attention. The baroque chapel setting adds layers of meaning, reminding visitors that every generation reinterprets the past through its own architectural and cultural lens. In Avignon's Lapidary Museum, history speaks in stone.