James Ensorhuis

About the museum

In this house on the Vlaanderenstraat in Ostend, the painter James Ensor (1860-1949) lived and worked from 1917 until his death, together with his manservant. He had inherited the property from his uncle and aunt, who ran a shop there selling shells and souvenirs. On the ground floor that shop has been preserved as a memory of the family.

In 1952 the house was set up as a museum, but much of the original interior had already been sold by then. Since 1956 the house has been owned by the City of Ostend. In 1974 it was protected as a monument and, after a restoration campaign, the museum reopened. Later it came under the management of Mu.ZEE.

The city bought the neighbouring houses in 2016, adding about 690 m² to the house. After a thorough renovation, the renewed Ensorhuis opened in July 2020 as an interactive experience centre. Five spaces with authentic furniture, reproductions and short documentary presentations each highlight a theme: the world of Ensor, the interior, his public life, the criticism and the masks and strange figures.

The visitor walks through the artist's real living and working spaces, including the Blue Salon, and ends in an exhibition room. The paintings in the house are reproductions; the furniture, such as the piano and the harmonium, is partly authentic.

Highlights

• Authentic home of James Ensor with the Blue Salon
• Preserved souvenir shop of uncle and aunt on the ground floor
• Five thematic spaces in the interactive experience centre
• Audio guide included in five languages, also for the youngest visitors
• Family treasure hunt for the fake Ensor and a walk through Ensor's Ostend

Permanent exhibition

• Het James Ensorhuis en belevingscentrum – The authentic home of Ensor and five themed rooms with furniture, reproductions and short documentaries bring his life and work to life.

Founded

1952

Admission & discounts

With the museumPASSmusées admission is free (book a ‘museumpas’ ticket in the webshop or buy the pass at reception); the pass applies to individual visits only. The ticket also gives access to the temporary exhibition, which can also be visited separately. The Ensor walk via the Ostend City Walks app is free for anyone who visits the house.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

The house is fully accessible to visitors with limited mobility, via a route almost identical to that of other visitors. Seats are available during the visit. A wheelchair can be borrowed free of charge; reserve in advance by email. For visually impaired visitors there are audio guides with audio description and some tactile elements; for hard-of-hearing visitors there are separate devices with continuous text. At the entrance you cannot park; the nearest car parks (Parking Europacentrum and Parking Kursaal 2, 150 metres away) have reserved spaces.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

House servant Gust leads the youngest visitors through the house; whoever unmasks the fake Ensor during the search ‘Gezocht: Valse Ensor’ (Wanted: fake Ensor) receives a reward at the information desk (not during special events). There are interactive installations such as an interactive wall, puzzle screens, a photo corner and a studio to crawl into. For children there is a city walk on paper, to be picked up at the desk. In the toilets there is a changing table, and there is a lift for pushchairs.

Getting there & parking

By car, follow the E40 from Brussels to Ostend (about an hour). The house is on the corner of the Vlaanderenstraat and the Van Iseghemlaan.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi: not available

There is no café; eating and drinking are not allowed during the visit. There is no Wi-Fi in the house; for the Ensor walk, the free Wi-Fi ‘Free Wi-Fi Aan Zee’ can be used in the city centre. In the museum shop you will find gadgets, catalogues and other souvenirs.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit