History museum
How one of Europe's largest museums of prehistory came to be created in the Verdon.
Given the number of rich archaeological sites in the area, opening a museum was a logical decision. Passionate researchers and motivated local councillors brought the project into being.
Mars 1999, le chantier du musée est en construction sous la houlette de l'architecte Norman Foster.
1er juin 2001, le musée de Quinson est inauguré en présence de Catherine Tasca alors ministre de la Culture. A ses côtés : Jean-Louis Bianco, président du Département (1998-2012) et Henry de Lumley, concepteur scientifique du musée.
"La conception scientifique s'inspire directement du paysage" écrit Norman Foster. Le monument offre à la fois un contraste surprenant avec son environnement et une intégration harmonieuse dans les paysages du Verdon.
Le hall d'entrée du musée compte une surface de plus de 550 m2 pour une hauteur de 10 mètres de haut. La rampe d'accès mène à l'exposition permanente. La verrière diffuse délicatement la lumière dans l'enceinte du musée.
Sur une longueur de 150 mètres, un grand mur entièrement réalisé en roches calcaires locales évoque la technique de la pierre sèche.
Le musée et son parvis: une vaste esplanade accueille le visiteur. Adossée à une colline, le bâtiment est partiellement enterré.
1986-1988
Quinson launches the project
Based on an idea from town councillors Danielle Berne and Maurice Petit, Quinson council staged an exhibition of archaeological artefacts found during excavations carried out 20 years earlier by a CNRS team led by Jean Courtin, Charles Lagrand and Henry de Lumley. De Lumley suggested to the council that a Verdon Gorge Museum of Prehistory should be created. And so the project was launched!
Norman Foster's vision
Close links between the museum and the village. British architect Norman Foster, 1999 Pritzker Prize laureate, has designed dozens of buildings in many different countries. He is known worldwide as the designer of the Reichstag in Berlin, 30 St Mary Axe in London and the Viaduc de Millau, among other projects.
For the Museum of Prehistory, Norman Foster and his teams created a harmonious building formed of two curves, nestled together to form a shell of concrete, glass and steel. The museum has been very carefully integrated into the site: a long stone wall eight metres high is a continuation of old Quinson wall, and the esplanade stretches to the town hall to form an extensive concourse at the entrance to the village. All the museum's facilities – the reception, the museum displays, the temporary exhibition gallery, the cafeteria and the shop – are set on two levels around a large atrium measuring 553m². Private areas (offices, laboratories and workshops) are on the façade of the building. The Eastern wing, closest to the village, is set aside for the use of schools (as an educational venue) and lectures/film shows (132-seater auditorium). The archaeological stores lie on three levels at the centre of the building. A library and reading room are located close by.