More than a museum
The former municipal slaughterhouses were turned into Les Abattoirs as it is today in 2000.
The municipal and regional council came together with the ministry of cultural affairs to create a Modern and Contemporary art museum which would promote innovation and research in Contemporary art. A recognised “Museum of France”, our undertakings not only happen on our 3000 m2 site, but also in different art centres in the Occitanie region.
Les Abattoirs is a fusion between what were three separate structures; the former museums of Modern and Contemporary art, and the FRAC (Fonds régional d'art contemporain de la region; Regional contemporary art holdings). There are now over 4000 works in our richly layered, international collection which has been immeasurably enriched and expanded by donations from private collections (notably Anthony Denney and Daniel Cordier).
Since 2013 we have developed a multidisciplinary program, (concerts, talks, performances, projections…) making les Abattoirs a lively arts centre as well as a museum. In addition, there is a publicly accessible resource centre, archives, bookshop, restaurant/ café, workshop spaces, meeting rooms, and an auditorium.
