Museum sights in Northern France
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A
Museum of Fine Arts & Lace
The museum (Musée des Beaux-Arts et de la Dentelle) focuses on two things: modern sculpture, including pieces by Rodin; and the history of lace-making before and after the first lace machines were smuggled over from England - with French government encouragement - in 1816.
reviewed
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B
Fine Arts Museum
Lille's world-renowned Fine Arts Museum , built from 1885 to 1892, has a truly first-rate collection of 15th- to 20th-century paintings, including works by Rubens, Van Dyck and Manet. On the ground floor, there's exquisite porcelain and faïence, much of it of local provenance, while in the basement you'll find classical archaeology, medieval statuary and intricate 18th-century models of the fortified cities of northern France and Belgium.
Tickets are valid for the whole day. Information sheets are available in each hall. An audioguide is planned for the recently-reorganised paintings section.
reviewed
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C
Hospice Comtesse Museum
Housed in an attractive 15th- and 17th-century poorhouse, the Hospice Comtesse Museum features ceramics, faïence wall tiles and 17th- and 18th-century paintings, furniture and religious art. The Salle des Malades (Hospital Hall) is decorated with Lille tapestries. The museum was undergoing renovations as we went to press.
reviewed
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D
Musée de la Dentelle et de la Mode
This museum is dedicated to Calais' glorious lace-making legacy. It's in a 19th-century lace factory whose façade has been transformed to look like a giant Jacquard punched card.
reviewed
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E
Musée de Picardie
Housed in a dashing Second Empire structure (1855–67), the Picardy Museum is surprisingly well endowed with archaeological exhibits, medieval art and Revolution -era ceramics.
reviewed