Maison Losseau

About the museum

The Maison Losseau is a townhouse on the rue de Nimy, a stone’s throw from the Grand-Place in Mons. The residence has existed since at least the eighteenth century. The parents of Léon Losseau (1869-1949), a lawyer from Mons, bought it in 1873. After his father’s death in 1894, Léon Losseau wanted to give the house every modern comfort, and in 1899 he commissioned the Brussels architect Paul Saintenoy to transform it. The works lasted more than ten years: the house received electricity, central steam heating, electrically operated sash windows, a private lift and glass floor slabs.

The plans by Henri Sauvage, Charles Sarazin and then Louis Sauvage gave rise to unique decorations: parquet floors and marble mosaics, panelling and furniture in precious woods decorated with bronze, stuccos and stencils highlighted in gold, stained glass and glass pastes. Renowned workshops and manufactories, including those of Émile Gallé, Daum and Amalric Walter, contributed to the ensemble.

A bibliophile, photographer and networker, Losseau gathered more than 100,000 books and maintained close ties with Raoul Warocqué and Paul Otlet. In 1901 he discovered the original edition of Arthur Rimbaud’s “Une saison en enfer”, which was believed to have been destroyed. A foundation created in 1952 owns the house; the Province of Hainaut manages it and has installed its Literature Section there. Long closed, the residence is listed as Wallonia’s exceptional heritage; restored, it has been open to the public again since September 2015.

Highlights

• Original Art Nouveau decorations: parquet floors, mosaics, stained glass, panelling and furniture
• Interpretation centre with the atmosphere of a library and cabinet of curiosities
• Original edition of Arthur Rimbaud’s “Une saison en enfer”
• Garden restored from Léon Losseau’s plans
• House listed as Wallonia’s exceptional heritage

Permanent exhibitions

• Centre d'interprétation Art nouveau et collections Losseau – Route through a library and cabinet-of-curiosities setting: Art Nouveau, the collections and passions of Léon Losseau, and the original edition of “Une saison en enfer”.
• Visite de la maison classée – Reception rooms and state rooms of the townhouse transformed around 1900, with their Art Nouveau decorations, and the restored summer garden.

Founded

2015

Operated by

Province de Hainaut (Secteur Littérature), pour la Fondation Losseau

Admission & discounts

Free admission for the press, guides, holders of the Passeport 365 and ambassadors of the City of Mons.

Accessibility

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

The site declares itself accessible to people with reduced mobility; access is via the rear, rue des 4 Fils Aymon, where one parking space for a vehicle is set aside. Animals are not admitted.

Kids & families

Wednesday is reserved for families and schools; free admission for children under 6.

Getting there & parking

The house is a few steps from the Grand-Place in Mons, less than 1,500 m from the station.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop with publications and objects on Art Nouveau and literature (including authors from Hainaut).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The protected and restored house hosts cultural events, subject to certain constraints; requests are made to the person responsible for rentals.

Plan your visit