2 /5 François Laurent: Admittedly, the museum is small, and its current layout may feel limited. At the moment, only one floor is open, mainly showcasing local or regional contemporary creations, which may not appeal to all visitors. There is a small engraving by Goya and a piece by Gallé, though these are discreetly placed and easy to overlook.
I remembered, from a visit about twenty years ago, a respectable collection of 19th-century American paintings that I found of real interest. Its unclear whether this has been moved or replaced temporarily, possibly to make room for the upcoming exhibition (apparently focused on aquatic themes, based on whats being prepared upstairs).
Of course, this is only a matter of personal taste. I hope that the museum’s promise of being “more than a museum,” as stated on the poster outside, will be realized in future exhibitions. For now, I personally found the current offering rather underwhelming. The French-language signage is somewhat tucked away in a back corridor, currently closed to children’s activities.
That said, the staff were very welcoming, admission was reduced (6 instead of 12 dollars), and the ticket is valid for a week and also gives access to other museums in the city—which is a definite plus. The temperature inside, thanks to the buildings history as a former prison, is pleasantly cool.
