Musée Félicien Rops

About the museum

Félicien Rops (1833-1898), a son of Namur, left the city for good for Paris around 1874, and his rehabilitation in his home town took several decades. In 1936 the group of “Ropsistes” championed the idea of a museum in Namur; in 1937 an exhibition at the Hôtel de Croix brought together lithographs, prints, paintings and souvenirs, leaving aside the most erotic and satanic works. After a donation by the Province of Namur in 1961 and a major gift from Count Visart de Bocarmé in 1962, a first permanent room devoted to Rops opened in 1964 in the Hôtel de Gaiffier d'Hestroy, rue de Fer.

For lack of space, much of the some 300 works given by the Count remained in storage until 1987, when the new Rops Museum opened at rue Fumal 12. The building, owned by the Province of Namur, underwent several extensions before its reopening in 2003, with a new display and modern conservation techniques. The garden was entirely redesigned in 2005 according to the artist's botanical tastes and received a sculpture by Anne Jones, “Carré d'ardoises”.

Today the museum occupies a former town house in old Namur, in a pedestrian zone, and devotes almost 700 m² to the artist's paintings, drawings, lithographs and letters, from his early days as a caricaturist to his satanic and sulphurous works. Recognised in category A by the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles since 2008, it received the Destination Qualité label of the Walloon Region in 2016. It also publishes the artist's correspondence online, with more than 4,000 letters catalogued.

Highlights

• Almost 700 m² devoted to Félicien Rops: paintings, drawings, lithographs and letters
• From youthful caricatures to satirical, erotic and satanic works
• Former town house in the pedestrian quarter of old Namur
• Audio guide, specialist interviews on tablet and digital installations
• The artist's correspondence published online (ropslettres.be)

Permanent exhibition

• Collection permanente Félicien Rops – Paintings, drawings, lithographs and letters by Rops, from his beginnings as a caricaturist to his satirical, erotic and satanic works.

Founded

1987

Operated by

Province de Namur – Service des Musées et du Patrimoine culturel

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every first Sunday of the month, free admission for everyone, with a mediator in the rooms.

Free admission also for holders of the museumPASSmusées, the ICOM card, the Pass 365 or an Article 27 ticket; for members of the non-profit association (ASBL) “Les Amis du Musée Rops”; for pupils of schools of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles and of provincial schools during school visits; and for their accompanying teachers. For the full list of free admissions: tel. +32 81 77 54 94.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: not available
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The permanent collection is fully accessible by lift; the temporary exhibitions are about 75% accessible (the first floor can only be reached by a staircase). Only guide dogs for the blind and assistance dogs are admitted. The museum has no parking space reserved for people with reduced mobility. Further information at www.acces-i.be.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Rops's caricatures and irreverent spirit lend themselves to discussion as a family, from the youngest to teenagers. The education team offers themed routes and playful activities; family activities are announced under the “Marmaille & Co” label of the Walloon museums.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the historic quarter, in a pedestrian zone; red signs on the pedestrian signposting lead to the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

No café on site: there are many cafés and restaurants in the city centre. Shop with postcards, exhibition catalogues, bags, T-shirts and magnets.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The museum can be hired in the evening for cocktails, private visits and corporate receptions. An audiovisual room with 30 seats is also available for hire during the day from Tuesday to Friday; the garden is available in the warmer season.

Plan your visit