Musee du Hieron

About

The Musée du Hieron, designed by Parisian architect Noël Bion, has undergone a complete renovation in 2005. Built between 1890 and 1893, it features a metallic architecture inspired by Gustave Eiffel, and is one of the rare museums in France to be designed as such from the very outset. The museum is a listed French historic monument from the 19th century (Musée de France). Its seven hundred square meter exhibition space offers visitors an historical panorama of Christianity over two millenia. Two of the most outstanding exhibits are the remarkably preserved 12th century Romanesque carving from the church in nearby Anzy-le-Duc, itself a listed historic monument, and the sublime Via Vitae (The Way of Life, 1894-1904) by the Parisian goldsmith and jeweller, Joseph Chaumet.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 1 hour 30 minutes