Archaeological Museum of the Hôtel Dieu

The Hôtel-Dieu de Cavaillon museum, managed by the Fondation Calvet, exhibits significant archaeological collections discovered in the region, tracing local history from prehistory to the modern era.

Acquired by the Jouve family in the early 20th century, the former hospital and its chapel were transformed into a museum to preserve Cavaillon's heritage.

The Jouve family, passionate about history and archaeology, enriched the collections with their own excavations and with donations from the community, including prehistoric and ancient artefacts and inscriptions.

On the death of Marie-Thérèse Jouve in 1938, the museum and collections were bequeathed to the Calvet Foundation. Subsequent contributions, notably from the first curator André Dumoulin, have continued to enrich the collections with local discoveries.

Since the 1980s, the emphasis has been on preventive archaeology, with many artefacts added to the museum following urban excavations. These ongoing efforts aim to restore and enhance Cavaillon's archaeological heritage, offering a better understanding of its history and identity through themed exhibitions.