Beaux-Arts Mons

BAM – Beaux-Arts Mons, also known as the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Mons, is an art museum in the centre of Mons, in Belgian Wallonia. Today the museum forms part of a larger cultural complex known as CAP (Culture, Art et Patrimoine), which also includes the House of Collections and the "Poirier Beurré" garden, freely accessible from rue Neuve.

How did the museum come to be?

The institution's story begins at the end of the 19th century with an act of private patronage. In his will, dated April 1895, Henri Glépin left the City of Mons one and a half million francs. Part of the bequest was meant to fund a care home for the elderly, while the other part was intended to establish a museum to house his personal collections of antique porcelain, earthenware, coins and medals. Although the bequest dates to 1895, construction of the museum building itself did not begin until 1908, on rue Neuve — the very site where the museum still stands today.

What does the museum look like after its renovation?

In 2007 the building underwent a major renovation designed by the Parisian architect Christian Menu. The project turned it into a contemporary complex covering roughly 5,000 square metres across three levels, with nearly 2,000 square metres dedicated specifically to temporary exhibitions that showcase the richness of the city of Mons's collections.

What can visitors see at BAM?

Rather than a single permanent display, the museum operates on a rotating basis: the city of Mons's holdings, amounting to nearly 15,000 works of art, are presented cyclically through a series of temporary exhibitions. The chronological and thematic scope is broad, spanning everything from prehistory to contemporary art, so each visit can reveal a different part of the collection. Past exhibitions have ranged from presentations of regional artists and local artistic movements to major international shows dedicated to figures such as Joan Miró and Auguste Rodin.

When and how can you visit?

Like the other sites within the CAP complex, the museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 18:00, with last admission at 17:00 for the museum itself, or at 16:30 for the other CAP venues. These hours make it easy to combine a visit with other attractions in central Mons.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between BAM and the former Musée des Beaux-Arts? They are the same institution — BAM is the name the museum has used since its 2007 renovation; before that it was simply known as the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Mons.

Is there a permanent exhibition at BAM? No, the museum shows its collection of nearly 15,000 objects through a rotating programme of temporary exhibitions rather than one fixed display.

Where do the museum's collections come from? The institution traces its origins to Henri Glépin's 1895 bequest, through which he gave the City of Mons funds and his private collection of porcelain, earthenware, coins and medals.

Is there a garden next to the museum? Yes, the CAP complex includes the "Poirier Beurré" garden, which is freely accessible from rue Neuve.