Museum of Photography in Charleroi

The Museum of Photography in Mont-sur-Marchienne, a district of Charleroi, ranks among the largest and most significant photography museums in Europe. It occupies the buildings of a former Carmelite convent erected in the late 19th century, later extended with a modern wing that added further exhibition space.

How did the museum come into being?

The institution's story begins in 1978, when Jeanne and Georges Vercheval founded the non-profit organisation "Photographie Ouverte". Its first real public opening followed in 1979. From that point on, the future museum began systematically collecting photographs and photographic equipment, while also building its reputation through exhibitions staged at various locations across Charleroi.

A turning point came in 1980 with the success of the first "International Triennial of Photography". The event convinced local authorities to support the association, which was granted space on Rue Huart Chapel in Charleroi, where the "Gallery of the Musée de la Photographie" was established.

Why is the museum housed in a former Carmelite convent?

In 1987, the institution — by then operating as the "Musée de la Photographie, Centre d'Art Contemporain de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles" — found a permanent home in the buildings of a former Carmelite convent in Mont-sur-Marchienne. The convent, built at the end of the 19th century, proved well suited to conversion into a museum: its austere architecture and contemplative atmosphere resonated with photography's own character as a medium of observation and reflection.

What can visitors see at the museum today?

Following the opening of a new wing adjoining the former convent, the Musée de la Photographie became one of the largest and most important photography museums in Europe. Its collection today numbers more than 80,000 photographs, spanning different periods and styles in the history of the medium — from the earliest days of photography in the 19th century to contemporary artistic practice.

The museum functions not merely as a venue for its permanent collection but also as a centre for contemporary art, staging temporary exhibitions devoted to both classic and experimental strands of photography. Since its founding, the institution has combined the roles of archive and collection with those of an exhibiting gallery, setting it apart from more conventional historical museums.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the museum located? The museum is located in Mont-sur-Marchienne, a locality that forms part of the city of Charleroi in Belgian Wallonia.

Does the museum building have historical significance? Yes — the main building is a former Carmelite convent from the late 19th century, to which a modern exhibition wing was later added.

How many photographs does the collection hold? The collection comprises more than 80,000 photographs, making it one of the largest of its kind in Europe.

Since when has the museum existed in its current form? The institution grew out of an organisation founded in 1978, and it has occupied its current home in the former convent since 1987.

Is it only a permanent exhibition, or are temporary events also organised? The museum combines the display of its permanent collection with temporary thematic exhibitions covering both historical and contemporary photography.