Musée Angladon-Dubrujeaud (Angladon-Dubrujeaud Museum), Avignon

The Angladon-Dubrujeaud Museum, also known as the Angladon Museum - Jacques Doucet Collection, is a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Avignon. Located in the historic Massilian Hotel (Hôtel de Massilian), a mansion built in 1694 by architect Jean Péru, the museum stands as a testament to the art collection legacy of Parisian fashion designer Jacques Doucet (1853-1929). Doucet, renowned for establishing one of the first haute couture houses in Paris, was also a passionate art collector and patron of the arts. His collections spanned from the 18th century to the contemporary era, encompassing a diverse array of drawings, paintings, furniture, and other art objects.

The museum was established in 1996, fulfilling the vision of Jean and Paulette Angladon-Dubrujeaud, Doucet’s heirs, who lived in Avignon. Jean, an artist known by the name Jean Angladon, and his wife Paulette, a painter and engraver, enriched Doucet’s collection and contributed to its preservation and expansion. Without direct descendants, the couple bequeathed their collection to the Angladon-Dubrujeaud Foundation, created in 1993 and recognized for its public utility. The museum showcases works from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, reflecting Doucet’s eclectic taste and patronage, which included support for prominent literary figures of the time, such as Louis Aragon, André Breton, and Antonin Artaud.

The Massilian Hotel, the museum’s home, is a beautifully preserved 18th-century mansion that retains its period charm, featuring an elegant staircase and subtle decorative elements in the first-floor salons. It was named after the Massilian family, with notable figures like Abbot Massilian, a city historian, being associated with the house. The museum continues to be managed by the Angladon-Dubrujeaud Foundation, inviting visitors to explore a rich tapestry of art history within the elegant walls of this Avignon landmark.