Musée des Arts Anciens - Namur

The Musée des Arts anciens du Namurois is housed in an 18th-century mansion, well hidden behind the plasterwork of the facade, classified as an exceptional heritage in Wallonia. The former Hôtel de Gaiffier d'Hestroy became founded around 1730-1745.

In 1950 , Paule d'Haese donated the Hôtel de Gaiffier d'Hestroy to the province of Namur, on the condition that it would be turned into a museum .

This setback mansion is preceded by a paved courtyard bordered on the street side by a Régence-style wall and a wing with outbuildings and caretaker's house, designed by architect François-Joseph Beaulieu in 1768.

It houses treasures from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Among the masterpieces on display, the oldest of which date from the 12th century, are the Treasure of Oignies (a set of 42 masterpieces: reliquaries, gospels and other objects of worship, mainly from goldsmiths, created in the 13th century by the workshop of Hugo d'Oignies), one of the 7 wonders of Belgium , famous sculptures by the Master of Waha and paintings by Henri Bles that evoke the Mosan Valley.

Willem Vandenameele