The Goya Museum in Castres: a Treasure Trove of Spanish Art in France
Whilst holidaying in Castres, you wouldn’t expect to find a vast collection of artistic treasures spanning a millennium.
And yet this town in Occitanie in south-west France boasts the only museum in France devoted entirely to Spanish painting: the **Goya Museum’s** collections feature works by Joan Mates, Master of Alzira, Pacheco, Velazquez, El Greco, Miró and Dali.
This extensive collection takes you on a journey through over a thousand years of Iberian art showcased in the sumptuous setting of a 17th-century former bishop’s palace.
**A much-awaited reopening**
After closing for three years for a complete refurbishment, the **Goya Museum** finally opened its doors again on 15 April 2023. The renovations were designed to show the artworks at their best possible advantage, with the exhibition space doubling from 700m² to over 1500m².
So far two major exhibitions have been held: the museum reopened with “Miró, a Tribute to Gaudí” and was followed by an extensive exhibition of Picasso’s work.
“Goya as Seen by Picasso”, part of the “Picasso: 1973-2023 Celebration”
What better setting in which to admire the works of Miró and Goya than a former bishop’s palace? But prior to this recent exhibition, only two pieces by that other Spanish master, Picasso, were on display at the museum: “Man in a Straw Hat with Ice Cream” and “Bust of a Man Writing”. “Goya as Seen by Picasso”, which ran until 1st October 2023 as part of a series of international events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the artist’s death, along with other exhibitions in New York, Barcelona and Paris, was therefore a natural and very welcome choice for the museum.
Featuring 35 paintings, some of which had never been displayed previously, the exhibition explored the influence of Goya on Picasso through their shared themes and motifs, such as a passion for bullfighting, existential angst, and the use of still life to represent death. This comparison between the two masters of Spanish art was thus a fascinating opportunity to rediscover “Goya as Seen by Picasso”.
A visit to the Goya Museum is highly recommended – as well as being the perfect excuse to stay at our bed and breakfast, Domaine le Castelet: it’s the ideal place for a cultural weekend or holiday. Just a 15-minute drive from the **Goya Museum** and the centre of Castres, **Domaine Le Castelet** is a unique and unforgettable venue with its charming rental cottages and bed and breakfast.
While you’re here, you can relax and enjoy the pool, which is located in a quiet area in the middle of a meadow. Thefully renovated holiday rentalsin a converted farmhouse are an idyllic setting for a truly memorable stay: the estate is a haven of peace and tranquillity, featuring a number of picturesque footpaths through the forest.
**The museum’s museum**
Built between 1665 and 1673 by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, Louis XIV’s first architect, on a commission by Monseigneur de Tubeuf, the building was declared national property after the French Revolution in 1789 and has been a public building ever since.
In 1840, it was turned into a museum and was named the **Goya Museum** when the Briguibouls, an eminent local family, bequeathed its collection of pieces by Francisco Goya. A lifelong collector, Martin Briguiboul – himself an artist: some of his work is on display at the **Goya Museum** – left his treasures to the town.
Over the years, the collection of Hispanic art has been enhanced with acquisitions by various curators and the town council.
Since 1980, the museumhas co-organized a number of events and initiatives in partnership with the Louvre, including temporary exhibitions, restorations, research and publications.
**Useful Information:**
Address: Goya Museum, Hôtel de Ville, 81100 CASTRES
Website: https://www.museegoya.fr/en/
Opening times & prices: https://www.museegoya.fr/en/infos-pratiques
What’s on: https://www.museegoya.fr/en/l-agenda
