VILLA VAUBAN – LUXEMBOURG CITY ART MUSEUM

The 1873 mansion with its modern extension is located in a historic park. The collections are made up of European painting and sculpture from the 17th to the 19th century (Netherlands, France, Italy) and Luxembourg art from the 19th to the 21st century. Permanent and temporary exhibitions as well as a varied programme of activities await visitors.

Permanent exhibition

A stroll through art

European painting and sculpture, 17th–19th century

With more than 100 paintings and 14 sculptures, Villa Vauban’s permanent exhibition takes visitors on a journey through three centuries of artistic creation: from the 17th-century Netherlands to Italian dreamscapes and French painting around 1850. In addition to styles, art periods and numerous masterpieces, there are small formats and miniatures to discover, as well as the spectacular acquisitions of Jean-Pierre Pescatore, benefactor of the City of Luxembourg, on the occasion of the auction of King William II of the Netherlands’ collection in 1850. The great diversity of subjects and artistic styles is conveyed at the beginning of the tour in the form of an immersive video projection that transports visitors into the atmosphere of the paintings they will discover on their stroll through art.

Current exhibitions

More information

Cultural & educational programme

 

Click here to see the programme.

Architecture

Bourgeois villa architecture, in a 21st-century interpretation
The museum was designed to reflect the specificity of its collection of paintings originally acquired by wealthy private collectors in the 18th and 19th century. Its core structure, an urban villa from 1873, was redeveloped under the supervision of architect Philippe Schmit of the Luxembourg-based office Diane Heirend & Philippe Schmit architectes, whose contemporary extension engages in a stimulating architectural dialogue with the historic building.

On solid walls...
The Villa Vauban owes its name to a fort of the former Luxembourg fortress built by the fortress architect of Louis XIV, Sébastien Le Prestre Vauban (1633-1707) which served as the foundation of the later residence. Today an impressive part of the fortress wall of the 18th century can be admired in the basement of the museum.

Relaxing in a historic garden
The museum complex is located in a park designed by the French architect Édouard André (1840-1911), one of the leading landscape planners of his time. Extensive refurbishment works will recover the park's original design, thus allowing visitors to explore historic works of art in a quiet and relaxing setting in the heart of the city.

Awards of  the Villa Vauban
TECU® Architecture Award 2010
Prix Luxembourgeois d'Architecture 2011, Domaine Architecture (ex aequo)

Programme at Villa Vauban