Musée des Augustins (Augustins Museum), Toulouse (must see)

The Augustins Museum (Musée des Augustins) in Toulouse is a distinguished repository of fine arts showcasing an extensive collection of pieces dating from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century. It is especially renowned for its remarkable assortment of Romanesque sculptures and comprehensive collection of paintings sourced from various regions of France, each emphasizing the richness of Occitan culture.

Originally constructed in 1309, the Gothic-style building served as the Augustinian convent of Toulouse before it was secularized in 1793 during the French Revolution. The convent was transformed into a museum and first opened its doors to the public on August 27, 1795, making it one of the oldest museums in France alongside the Louvre in Paris and the Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux-Arts) in Besançon.

Throughout the 19th century, significant renovations and expansions were undertaken to accommodate the growing exhibits. The collections, now totaling over 4,000 works, primarily originate from the confiscation of church property during the French Revolution and the seizures of private collections from emigrants. These include notable artworks by the likes of Guercino, Pietro Perugino, Rubens, and Philippe de Champaigne.

Additionally, the Augustins Museum features a reconstructed medieval garden within its cloister, which was renovated to house the medieval collections acquired from Toulouse's demolished religious sites.