Jardin-musée départemental Bourdelle d'Égreville

About the museum

The garden museum occupies the property that Michel Dufet (1888–1985), son-in-law of the sculptor Antoine Bourdelle, and his wife Rhodia Dufet-Bourdelle bought in stages between 1966 and 1969 in Égreville, Seine-et-Marne. Dufet, who directed the Musée Bourdelle in Paris, laid out an Art Deco garden there from 1966 to 1972 to showcase his father-in-law's work.

Rhodia Dufet-Bourdelle died in 2002 and bequeathed the property to the Conseil général of Seine-et-Marne to become a museum. Landscape designer Françoise Phiquepal restored the garden before it opened to the public in June 2005.

The roughly 7,000 m² site follows the style of the Art Deco gardens of the 1920s and 1930s, with a regular layout. It serves as a green setting for the sculptures.

The collection includes 58 bronzes by Bourdelle that trace the development of his work. Fifty-six are displayed in the garden and two indoors. The museum is run by the Department of Seine-et-Marne and is open from early April to the end of October.

Highlights

• 58 bronzes by Antoine Bourdelle, 56 of them in the garden
• 7,000 m² Art Deco garden designed by Michel Dufet
• Héraclès archer (1909)
• La naissance d'Aphrodite (1924)
• Beethoven, grand accoudé (1903)
• Monument à Rodin (1909)

Permanent exhibition

• Les bronzes de Bourdelle dans le jardin – A route through a 7,000 m² Art Deco garden among 56 bronzes by Antoine Bourdelle, including Héraclès archer and Beethoven, grand accoudé.

Founded

2005

Operated by

Département de Seine-et-Marne

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for recipients of minimum social benefits, job seekers, war victims and several professional categories or association members. Annual passes: enquire at reception.

Accessibility

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

Museum labelled “Tourisme & Handicap” for all four types of disability. A wheelchair and stick seats are available at reception. The garden paths, made of compacted limestone, are more than 1.20 m wide; the garden has two slopes, one of them steeper than 6% over 4 m. Fifteen sculptures can be touched, and a Braille booklet, large-print booklets and audio guides are available. Reserved parking spaces are nearby, with a municipal road to cross. Only guide dogs and assistance dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 6+

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Free activity booklets to discover the garden and sculptures. Family workshops during school holidays (modelling, paper folding, creative projects) for children aged 6 and up: 2 hours, 12 participants maximum, booking required.

Getting there & parking

By car from Paris (about 100 km): A6 towards Lyon, exit 16 Montereau-Fault-Yonne/Nemours, then towards Sens, then D225 and D58; the museum is on the left just before Égreville. On foot via the Égreville short-hike trail, connected to the GRP du Lunain.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop. Picnic area with tables near the car park.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit