Gassendi Museum

In the heart of Digne-les-Bains, the Gassendi Museum blends art, science, and history in an encyclopedic spirit. It pays tribute to the philosopher and astronomer Pierre Gassendi, a native of the region, who passionately observed the stars in the 17th century. Between scientific instruments, natural curiosities, and contemporary works, the visit invites you on a journey between the sky and knowledge. A beautiful gateway to discover the thought of Gassendi, a pioneering humanist and scientist, in a museum on a human scale where curiosity is always welcome.

Opened in 1906, the Gassendi museum presents itself as a permanent and evolving exhibition space. It is part of the Ambulo museum center in Digne-les-Bains. The visitor discovers the dialogue set up between the collections of natural sciences, ancient art and contemporary art through a route imagined like a mountain path – the significant difference in height of the building is lightened by an elevator and a suite of 'stairs.

The museum visit continues outside with the Mountain Art Collection, which can be discovered while walking. The visitor becomes a hiker, immersing themselves in the wild landscapes of the UNESCO Geopark to encounter works created in nature and in abandoned villages by contemporary artists such as Andy Goldsworthy, Herman de Vries, Mark Dion, Paul-Armand Gette, Trevor Gould, Stéphane Bérard, etc. These “work-places” offer a real experience, during a stopover or a night (reservation required: www.refugedart.fr).

Pierre Gassendi (1592-1655) was a mathematician, philosopher, theologian, astronomer and great humanist.

Pierre Gassend, known as Pierre Gassendi, was born in Champtercier, near Digne-les-Bains, in 1592 into a modest family. He studied and became a doctor of theology at the Faculty of Avignon. He was ordained a priest. From 1613 to 1623, he taught philosophy at the University of Aix-en-Provence. Passionate about astronomy, he made numerous observations throughout his life. He adhered to the Copernican system and corresponded with Galileo. Provost of Digne from 1626, he divided his time between Digne and Paris, where he taught mathematics at the Collège Royal from 1645 to 1648.