Toulouse-Lautrec Museum

Musée Toulouse-Lautrec

Thanks to the bequest made by the parents of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum possesses the largest collection of the artist in the world. Over 1000 works, pictures, lithographs, drawings, preparatory studies including all 31 posters afford a complete documented approach of the artist and illustrate each facet of his multifarious and innovative talent.

The Palais de la Berbie and its gardens, a prestigious setting
In the second half of the 13th century, the Bishops of Albi undertook the construction of the Palais de la Berbie close to the cathedral of Sainte-Cécile and the banks of the Tarn. A true fortress, the palace is a testimony to the bygone power of the Bishops of Albi. This medieval architecture, with its walls of extraordinary height and thickness, encloses a court of honour and a keep.

The prelates who followed from the Renaissance to the 18th century transformed and enlarged it into a stately palace with sumptuous salons and French style formal gardens. Situated in the very heart of the city’s historical centre, the Palais de la Berbie, listed as a historical monument, is one of France’s best preserved episcopal residences. It forms part of Albi’s episcopal citadel, a candidate for World Heritage of Humanity status.

The Toulouse-Lautrec galleries were inaugurated at the Palais de la Berbie in 1922 with the help of an exceptional bequest from the Count and Countess of Toulouse-Lautrec.

The museum today
The Toulouse-Lautrec Museum is today an ambassador for the city of Albi and draws nearly 160,000 visitors annually, which places it among the top museums outside of Paris.

The renovated museum reopened to the public on April, 2nd 2012.

It now offers a warm and refined atmosphere. The museum tour presents the works by theme and in chronological order and offers possibilities of quick or in-depth tours. The first floor rooms situated around the Court of Honour house the end of the Toulouse-Lautrec tour. Level 2 houses the modern art collections. The Stainville wing (A) houses the drawing cabinet.

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