Museum of Old Montpellier, Montpellier

The Museum of Old Montpellier is situated within the Varennes Hotel (Hôtel de Varennes), a grand private mansion adorned with elegant woodworks from the 18th century. Occupying the first floor of this historic residence, the museum offers visitors a glimpse into the city’s rich past through a diverse collection of artifacts, furniture, paintings, and antique weaponry. Although the collection may seem modest, the museum's setting within one of the few publicly accessible private hotels makes it a unique destination.

The museum is organized into several rooms, each dedicated to different themes. The first room features engravings and watercolors that illustrate the development of Montpellier. The second room is home to a replica of the office of Jules Pagézy, the mayor who significantly reshaped the city during the Second Empire. Among the museum’s highlights is a 15th-century tabernacle that houses a 13th-century Black Virgin, a polychrome wooden statuette revered for its craftsmanship and historical significance.

Visitors can also admire an ivory cabinet, a gilded table-clock, and a stunning collection of religious statues. One room is specifically dedicated to the storming of the Bastille, showcasing stones from the destroyed fortress and a meticulously crafted model made shortly after its destruction. Portraits of notable Montpellier personalities such as Pierre Richer de Belleval, Sébastien Bourdon, and Jean-Jacques Régis de Cambacérès are also on display, alongside works by regional artists like Jean Raoux and Edouard Marsal.

Exploring the museum is akin to stepping back in time, as guests traverse rooms decorated with mid-18th-century French ceilings, plasterwork, and a grand fireplace that once graced the mansion’s living room. The Museum of Old Montpellier is more than just a collection of objects-it is a reflection of the city’s historical journey, encapsulated within the refined elegance of a bygone era.