Musée de Pont-Aven

About the museum

The museum opened on June 29, 1985. It grew out of the commitment of local associations, first the Amis de Gauguin in the 1960s, then the association of Friends of the Pont-Aven Museum. For nearly thirty years the town ran the institution; since 2012 it has been part of the Concarneau Cornouaille Agglomération.

The museum occupies the Hôtel Julia, built at the end of the 19th century. After several years of extension work, it reopened on March 26, 2016, with its exhibition space doubled from about 850 to 1,700 m². The permanent route was redesigned and now includes major loans, among them several works from the Musée d’Orsay.

The collection traces the artistic adventure that unfolded in Pont-Aven and its surroundings between 1870 and the early 20th century. It brings together paintings, drawings and numerous prints by artists who came to Brittany in search of light, landscapes and a way of life that nourished Synthetism: Paul Gauguin, Émile Bernard, Paul Sérusier, Maurice Denis, Meijer de Haan and Maxime Maufra, among others. Many acquisitions were made possible by the Friends of the Museum, the FRAM and patrons.

Highlights

• Works by Paul Gauguin, including a suite of zincographs from 1889 and a pastel from 1894
• Paintings by Émile Bernard, Paul Sérusier and Maurice Denis
• Route devoted to the School of Pont-Aven and Synthetism
• Visioguides with French Sign Language interpretation
• Documentation center, open by appointment

Permanent exhibition

• Collection permanente : l'École de Pont-Aven – Route devoted to the artists who gathered in Pont-Aven around Gauguin, Bernard and Sérusier, with paintings, drawings and prints from the late 19th century.

Founded

1985

Operated by

Concarneau Cornouaille Agglomération

Admission & discounts

The ticket covers the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions and is valid all day. Free admission for, among others, job seekers and RSA recipients, members of the Friends of the Pont-Aven Museum, holders of the ICOM card and holders of the Bretagne Musées professional card. A full-price ticket for the Musée de la Pêche in Concarneau or the Fonds Hélène et Édouard Leclerc in Landerneau entitles you to a reduced ticket. The Pass Culture is accepted for ages 15 to 18. Payment by card, holiday vouchers, check or cash.

Accessibility

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

Wheelchairs are lent free of charge at reception in exchange for an ID. Tactile floor guidance, induction loops at reception points and in the Julia room, subtitled videos, and seated walking sticks are available. Five visioguides translate the commentary into French Sign Language. Easy-read guide at reception. The museum holds the “Tourisme et Handicap” label.

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

Workshops for ages 9 months to 3 years, 3 to 5 years (30 minutes), 6 to 12 years (1 hr 30 min, with artistic creation), and courses from age 8. Playful route for the temporary exhibitions, interactive screens in the permanent route, games and books in the Julia room. Umbrella strollers available. The museum has signed the Mom’art charter for welcoming families.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on place Julia, in the heart of Pont-Aven. By car, take the Pont-Aven exit from the national road (6 km). Traffic is difficult in the center in summer. Ten bike racks in front of the museum; luggage storage at the neighboring tourist office.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Wi-Fi

Bookshop, cloakroom, restrooms and a changing table. The website also lists Wi-Fi among its services. No café in the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit