In the 16th century Bishop Louis Villiers de l’Isle Adam (1497–1521) rebuilt the palace in Renaissance style with Gothic decoration.

[3] The historian Louis Graves and the Société académique de l'Oise began the museum collection in 1841 to preserve objects of artistic or historical interest.

In 1908 the city of Beauvais and the Société académique de l'Oise offered the collection to the departmental council of the Oise.

In the center of the renovated Bishop's Palace the "19th Century Tour" leads past works by artists such as Camille Corot, Alfred Sisley, Paul Huet, Prosper Marilhat and Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres.

The huge unfinished canvas Enrôlement des volontaires de 1792 by Thomas Couture is displayed in the old courtroom, along with many preparatory sketches.

[4] The important Art Nouveau potter Auguste Delaherche was born in Beauvais, and later worked in the region.