Musée Paul Dupuy

The Musée Paul-Dupuy is the museum of decorative and graphic arts of Toulouse, set in a mansion of the seventeenth century in the Carmes district, on the Rue de la Pléau, on the left side of the old centre. It is named after Paul Dupuy, a collector and art lover who spent his life assembling objects and who left his collection to the city. It opened to the public on 14 July 1949, and the museum was closed for a renovation of about three years and reopened in November 2022, with new displays and a more modern presentation of the objects.

The setting is part of the attraction. The building is a fine example of the private townhouses, called hôtels particuliers, that the wealthy of Toulouse built in the seventeenth century, and it keeps its courtyard and some of its original interior. A visit leads through rooms where the collections are arranged by theme, and the contrast between the historic rooms and the modern displays makes it a pleasant place to explore. The museum is quiet and rarely crowded, with a scholarly feel.

The collections cover several areas. The clocks and watches are a highlight, with a large group of ancient timepieces, from early mechanical clocks to elaborate pieces of the eighteenth century and scientific instruments, showing the progress of watchmaking. The graphic arts section has drawings and prints by artists of the region, and advertising posters from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, which show the changing tastes of the public. Coins and medals, arms and armour, furniture and textiles complete the decorative arts, and a separate set of objects shows the pre-history of cinema, with optical toys and devices such as magic lanterns that created the illusion of moving images before the film camera was invented. The museum's variety makes it suitable for different interests.

The museum is open on most days of the week, from ten in the morning to six in the evening, and closed on some days, with exceptions for certain holidays, so check the schedule before you go. Admission is free for children, students, job seekers and some other groups, and for everyone on the first Sunday of the month, and reduced tickets exist for others. Allow an hour or two.

The museum suits lovers of decorative arts, curious travellers and families with children interested in optical devices. The Basilique Notre-Dame du Taur, the Basilique Saint-Sernin and the Capitole are within a short walk, and the Musée des Augustins and the Hôtel d'Assézat offer larger collections of art.