Musée Bourdelle

About the museum

The museum is devoted to Antoine Bourdelle, one of the great sculptors of the early 20th century, and is one of the City of Paris museums. It occupies the artist’s former studios, built in 1878 and 1881, as well as a small belvedere building from around 1896. These studios have been converted into rooms for the permanent collection.

Three gardens link the buildings and house bronzes. The Hall of Plasters, a red-brick building designed by Henri Gautruche in 1961, displays large monumental plasters. In 1992, the architect Christian de Portzamparc added a concrete wing for exhibitions, conservation and study. The site also includes the former apartment of Rhodia and Michel Dufet, which now houses the café-restaurant.

The collection brings together sculptures, drawings and prints, photographs, paintings and Bourdelle’s personal collection, together with the Rhodia and Michel Dufet holdings and a stock of books and archives. Temporary exhibitions address artists and themes from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Highlights

• Antoine Bourdelle’s historic studios, converted into rooms
• Three gardens decorated with bronzes
• Hall of Plasters with monumental works
• Contemporary wing by Christian de Portzamparc (1992)
• Technical room on how sculptures are made
• Apartment of Rhodia and Michel Dufet, now a café-restaurant

Permanent exhibitions

• Les ateliers et les jardins d’Antoine Bourdelle – A route through the sculptor’s historic studios and the three gardens decorated with bronzes.
• Le hall des plâtres – A large red-brick building from 1961 that displays Bourdelle’s monumental plasters.
• La salle des techniques – A space devoted to sculpture techniques, with digital discovery features.

Founded

1949

Operated by

Paris Musées (Ville de Paris)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

The permanent collections are free, without booking, subject to capacity. For temporary exhibitions, admission is free for, among others, under-18s, job seekers, holders of the Paris Musées card and people with disabilities with a companion. Reduced rates and free admissions require proof dated within the last 3 months.

Accessibility

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

A wheelchair is lent free of charge without booking, to be requested on arrival; folding chairs are freely available; visit aid in large print and magnifiers on request. An easy-to-read visitor booklet (FALC) and a reference officer trained in intellectual disability. Induction loop at the ticket desk and induction neck loops on request. Activities for blind or partially sighted people by reservation.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Modelling and drawing workshops for families throughout the year, booking required for each adult and child; “baby visits” for toddlers. A treasure hunt, “Sur les traces de Rhodia”, is handed out free at reception on request. Pushchairs and baby carriers are lent free of charge against ID.

Getting there & parking

Vélib’ bike stations: 26 avenue du Maine and 133 rue du Cherche-Midi. Paid left-luggage facility at Montparnasse station.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Le Rhodia café-restaurant, set in the former Dufet apartment between the two gardens, with a terrace. Wi-Fi available for visitors. Suitcases and luggage are not accepted (Vigipirate security plan); bag checks at the entrance.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The café and other spaces of the museum can be hired outside opening hours. Contact: EPPM-BourdelleLocations@paris.fr.

Plan your visit