Musée du Grand Siècle: the incredible project set within the former Caserne Sully in Saint-Cloud

Some projects sound dizzying. And this is the case of the Musée du Grand Siècle. This new cultural venue is to be inaugurated in 2026, and promises to display several magnificent art pieces which very core is 17^th century art.

A meeting hides behind this project: the one between former Conseil départemental des Hauts-de-Seine president Patrick Devedjian and French Academy member and former director-president of the Louvre Pierre Rosenberg. Both fascinated by art from the 17^th century and painter Nicolas Poussin, they got the idea to create a museum devoted to artists and works from the Grand Siècle. What a luck! Pierre Rosenberg was intending to donate all his artwork collection so it could be seen by people. Since September 25, 2020, it is done and this incredible donation will be visible from 2026, within the Musée du Grand Siècle.

Visitors can enjoy 3,502 drawings from the 16^th to the 20^th centuries, 673 paintings by artists from the 15^th to the first half of the 20^th centuries, 805 Murano glass animals from the 20^th century, without forgetting a library of the history of art including 50,000 books! Pierre Rosenberg’s impressive donation will be completed with pieces from national or territorial museums and pieces acquired by the Hauts-de-Seine department.

In concrete words, three entities will be revealed to the public including the Musée du Grand Siècle where will be displayed a complete look of the French civilization in the 17^th century, especially presenting paintings, sculptures, furniture, engravings, medals and even art items. “The Musée du Grand Siècle will take over the Middle Age Museum (Musée de Cluny in Paris) and theRenaissance Museum in Ecouen, Val-d’Oise”, the website reads.

Furthermore, art fans can enjoy most of Pierre Rosenberg’s collection within the collectors’ cabinet.

Last but not least, the museum will inaugurate the Nicolas Poussin research center. This place will include a drawing cabinet and the donator’s huge library (50,000 books).

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As for the location, the Musée du Grand Siècle and the Collectors’ cabinet will take place in the former Caserne Sully – a fabulous building from the early 19^th century nestled in the Parc de Saint-Cloud – whilst the Nicolas Poussin Research Center will be set in the Pavillon des Officiers. So far, the Caserne Sully – purchased by the department in 2016 – is subject to complete restoration project and archeological diggings have even started. But, if everything goes as planned, then works of the museum will start in May 2023, and the place is to welcome their first visitors in 2026.

Recently, the Hauts-de-Seine department said the Musée du Grand Siècle architectural project will be carried out by architect Rudy Ricciotti and Fayat Bâtiment company. Their idea? Renovating the main building, the Charles X Caserne and the Pavillon des Officiers, as well as adding a new building, widely opened onto the Seine. “Wrapped in a white concrete structure alluding to trees and a canopy, it will include temporary exhibition areas, workshops for schools, as well as a restaurant and a cafeteria, enjoying great views on the Seine and the neighboring park”, the explain on the website.