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Museum · Toulouse, Occitânia
Collection Bemberg
Art collection of collector Georges Bemberg, from Veronese to Picasso, with a large collection of Bonnard, housed in the Hôtel d'Assézat, a Renaissance townhouse from 1555.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Collection Bemberg
The Collection Bemberg, also known as Fondation Bemberg, occupies the Hôtel d'Assézat, one of the most important Renaissance townhouses in Toulouse. The building was erected in 1555 for Pierre d'Assézat, a wealthy pastel merchant—the blue dye extracted from a plant that made the city's fortune in the 16th century.
The collection was assembled by collector Georges Bemberg and spans about five centuries of art, from Veronese to Picasso, including paintings, sculptures, furniture and decorative objects. The Pierre Bonnard collection is one of the most important in Europe, and there are also Impressionist works and pieces by other modern painters.
Even for those who don't enter the museum, the courtyard of the Hôtel d'Assézat is worth a stop: the brick façades with stone columns show how pastel wealth changed Toulouse's architecture.
The townhouse also houses academies and learned societies of the city, including the Académie des Jeux floraux, linked to Toulouse's old poetry competition.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 to 1.5 hours.
Best time
Outside high season the museum usually closes on Mondays; check the opening days. Weekday mornings are quieter.
How to get there
It's on the Place d'Assézat, between the Capitole and the Pont-Neuf, about 600 meters from the Place du Capitole. The nearest metro station is Esquirol (line A).
Tip
Combine it with the Pont-Neuf and the banks of the Garonne, a few steps away. Temporary exhibitions have separate admission.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Collection Bemberg
What is the 'pastel' people talk about in Toulouse?
It's a blue dye extracted from a plant, which enriched the city's merchants in the 16th century. The Hôtel d'Assézat was built with that wealth.
Which artists are in the collection?
From Veronese to Picasso, with particular emphasis on one of Europe's largest collections of Pierre Bonnard and Impressionist works.
Can the courtyard be seen without a ticket?
The courtyard of the Hôtel d'Assézat is usually accessible during opening hours; the ticket is for the museum rooms. Check at the entrance.