The Sainte-Croix Museum is a museum of fine arts and archaeology located in the city of Poitiers, in western France. The museum’s collection features over 10,000 works, including paintings, sculptures, archaeological artifacts, and decorative arts from various periods and cultures.
The museum’s archaeological collection includes a range of artifacts from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages, such as Gallo-Roman pottery, jewelry, and sculptures. There are also numerous works of art from the Renaissance to the modern era, including paintings by local artists from Poitou-Charentes, as well as works by renowned artists such as Nicolas Poussin, Philippe de Champaigne, and Gustave Doré.
In addition to its permanent collection, the Sainte-Croix Museum hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year, covering a variety of topics from ancient history to contemporary art. The museum also offers educational programs and workshops for children and adults, as well as guided tours for groups.
The Sainte-Croix Museum is housed in a 19th-century former bishop’s palace, which has been restored and renovated to provide a modern, spacious setting for the collection. The building itself is also of historical interest, with its ornate façade and numerous architectural features, including a chapel and a cloister. Overall, the museum provides a fascinating glimpse into the history and culture of Poitiers and the wider region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
