Origins

Esprit Calvet

Esprit Calvet was born in Avignon on the 24th November 1728, from an old family based in the Pontifical city since the 15th century. A great collector, Esprit Calvet was aware of the magnanimity and the weaknesses of human nature. He believed that man was perfectible.
 

Although he was very attached to his personal library, he expressed a desire very early on to bequeath his belongings to the public in order to offer them the opportunity to obtain “enlightenment”. This gave rise to his idea, which was very advanced for the period, of an institution offering the public a place where they could gain access to knowledge.
 

Birth of the Foundation

In his will, he attached to his library his cabinets containing old medals, his personal furniture, his natural history collection and all his real estate. He requested the creation of a Council, called “the Eight”, who would be in charge of administering his possessions. Thus was born what was going to continue his life’s work, perhaps even beyond the expectations of its founder, the “Calvet Foundation”.
 

The handwritten will of Esprit Calvet
Imperial decree authorising the acceptance of Esprit Calvet’s inheritance

Promise of a glorious future

Over the years, with successive bequests, donations, acquisitions and deposits, the Foundation has grown to include several major museums covering all fields of art, situated in the most prestigious buildings of Avignon and Cavaillon.
 

Thanks to the daily work of their administrators and curators, as well as the continuing support of the Municipality of Avignon over almost two centuries, today, the Foundation is one of the cultural jewels of the city, of Provence and of France.