The History of Musée Boucher-de-Perthes
The Musée Boucher-de-Perthes is a museum of archaeology and fine arts located in Abbeville, France. It holds the Musée de France label. The institution was established in 1954 through the merger of two distinct collections. These were the Musée d'Abbeville et du Ponthieu and the former Musée Boucher-de-Perthes.
The Musée d'Abbeville et du Ponthieu originated in 1833. It was founded by the Société d'émulation d'Abbeville. This merger brought together diverse holdings, including archaeology, sculpture, painting, ceramics, and earthenware. The museum's current identity reflects these combined histories of local study and private collection.
The Architecture of the Beffroi
The museum is situated at 24, rue Gontier-Patin in Abbeville, France. Its structure is centered around the Beffroi, a building whose construction began in 1209. As one of the oldest in France, the tower represents the historical independence of the city. It was integrated into the museum's reconstruction in 1954 following the destruction of the Hôtel de Chepy during the Battle of France.
The architectural significance of the site is recognized through several formal designations. The Beffroi was inscribed as a Monument historique in 1926. In 2005, it was included as part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. The current Beffroi Musée Boucher de Perthes-Manessier is being integrated into a larger renovation and extension project designed to connect the historic structure with new architectural elements.
Archaeological and Natural History Collections
The museum holds approximately 80,000 works and objects, spanning archaeology, sculpture, painting, ceramics, and earthenware. A significant portion of these holdings originates from the collections of Jacques Boucher de Perthes. These archaeological materials include Acheulean type flint tools, which provide evidence of early human activity in the region.
Beyond prehistoric finds, the institution maintains diverse collections of art and decorative objects. These include coins, ivories, porcelains, and furniture. The holdings represent various periods, specifically focusing on items from Antiquity, the 18th century, and the 19th century. These objects are integrated with a selection of paintings and sculptures that reflect the museum's dual focus on fine arts and natural history.
- Jacques Firmin Beauvarlet, 1793 - Alexander Roslin
- Aint Louis Visitant Les Victimes De La Peste Dans La Plaine De Carthage - Guillaume Guillon Lethiere
- Portrait of mme Tallien, 1797 - Adèle Varillat
- View of the City of Abbeville (Somme), 1837 - Louis Etienne Watelet
- St. John Baptist Preaching in a landscape, 1619 - Jan Sanders van Hemessen
- The wheat field, 1900 - Louis Braquaval
Major Donations and Bequests
The museum's holdings are built upon significant individual contributions and family legacies. Jacques Boucher de Perthes bequeathed his collections to the musée gallo-romain. This transfer was a decisive step in the development of archaeological study in the region. Similarly, Jules Duchesne de Lamotte bequeathed his ornithology collection to the City of Abbeville, adding a specialized natural history dimension to the institution's scope.
In 1920, the museum received a substantial donation from the Lennel family, facilitated by Berthe Chevalier. This collection provides a diverse range of material culture, including coins, ivories, porcelains, and furniture. It also contains various paintings and art objects that reflect different historical periods. The presence of these items allows for a broad study of decorative arts alongside archaeological finds.
The museum's future expansion is designed to accommodate the donations of the family of Alfred Manessier. These works will be integrated into the new architecture as part of the ongoing development of the site. The inclusion of these pieces ensures that contemporary painting remains a central component of the permanent collection.
Recent Renovation and Extension Projects
The museum is currently undergoing a significant renovation and extension project to modernize its facilities and expand its capacity. Following the closure of its doors in September 2024, the site has entered a phase of major works intended to improve the presentation of its collections. This development aims to increase the total museum area from 2,000 m² to approximately 3,400 m². These scheduled works are expected to continue until 2028.
A central component of this expansion is the creation of a new wing. This addition is designed to provide a space specifically adapted to the scale of the large paintings by Alfred Manessier. The architectural integration seeks to connect the new structures harmoniously with the existing buildings. This expansion will allow for a more effective display of the museum's holdings, including the significant donations of Manessier's work.
