The museum is housed in a private mansion built by Dr. Henri Barré in 1862. It is at the heart of a historic district of the town, marked by some very fine residences. Its public garden offers a magnificent view over the Thouet Valley. The building has retained the charm of a collector?s house, and since 1920 has housed the collections of the municipal museum, which has been awarded the Musée de France label. Two temporary exhibitions are scheduled for 2026: Les paysages thouarsais, views by Poitou artist Fernand Serreau, and Confluences #2, with the Châtellerault artothèque, as part of the Archipel contemporary art trail.