Fenaille Museum

You’re now on Place Raynaldy, right in the heart of Rodez’s old town. In front of you stands the Fenaille Museum, housed in the Hôtel de Jouéry, a stunning mansion that blends medieval and Renaissance architecture. Behind its limestone façade lies an elegant inner courtyard, listed as a historic monument, which was reshaped over the centuries by the powerful Bonald family.

Around the square you’ll also spot other patrician houses and historic buildings, reminders of Rodez’s prosperity at the end of the Middle Ages. But the square’s present fame is thanks to Maurice Fenaille, an industrialist and great patron of the arts, who in 1929 donated the Hôtel de Jouéry to the Société des lettres, sciences et arts de l’Aveyron to establish a museum. Opened in 1937, it now bears his name in tribute to its benefactor.

Inside, the Fenaille Museum takes you on a real journey through time: over 1,100 objects trace the history of the Rouergue, from the first human presence 300,000 years ago to the Renaissance. Its star attraction is the collection of statue-menhirs—human figures carved in stone during the Neolithic—including the famous Lady of Saint-Sernin, a masterpiece over 5,000 years old. The tour continues with Gallo-Roman remains from the Ruteni, medieval sculptures from regional churches, and Renaissance treasures like tapestries, stained glass, and fine bourgeois furniture. Thanks to Fenaille’s close friendship with Rodin, the museum also preserves several works by the master himself.

Today, Place Raynaldy remains alive with Rodez’s cultural life. With its prestigious temporary exhibitions and its constant dialogue between heritage and creativity, the Fenaille Museum is both an architectural jewel and a living memory of the Rouergue—an essential stop on your visit.