Musée départemental Maurice-Denis

About the museum

The museum was founded in 1976 by the Yvelines department, thanks to a major donation from the family of Maurice Denis. It opened to the public in 1980 and has held the “Musée de France” label since 2002.

It occupies the Prieuré, a former artist’s residence that Maurice Denis bought in 1914 and where he lived from 1915 until his accidental death. The painter had the chapel restored as soon as he bought the house. The sloping garden offers several successive landscapes.

The museum is devoted to Maurice Denis, painter, decorator and theorist, as well as to the Symbolist and Nabi artists of his time. The collections also include post-Impressionists and artists of the Pont-Aven group. Maurice Denis was himself a great collector, bringing together works by Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne and the Nabis.

The museum is a cultural institution of the Yvelines departmental council. An online portal has presented its collections since 2020.

Highlights

• Paintings by Maurice Denis in his house and studio
• Works by the Nabis, the Symbolists and the Pont-Aven group
• Chapel restored by the painter
• Hillside garden with several landscapes
• Online portal of the collections

Permanent exhibition

• Collections permanentes – Works by Maurice Denis, the Nabis, the Symbolists, the post-Impressionists and the Pont-Aven group, presented in the painter’s former home.

Founded

1976

Operated by

Département des Yvelines

Director

Marie-Aline Charier

Visitors per year

approx. 36,243

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for recipients of minimum social benefits, journalists, guided-tour guides, Département staff and holders of the ICOM card. Art courses: €28 for three sessions for ages 7 to 17, €38 from age 18.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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 museum is partly accessible, with a lift and adapted toilets. A wheelchair is available. Induction loop at reception. Parking spaces for people with reduced mobility are reserved; it is advisable to call the museum in advance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Art workshops during school holidays for children, adults and families, workshops for ages 3 to 6 and 7 to 17, a drawing class one Wednesday a month from age 8, a birthday offer at the museum, a location-based game in the garden and a video game.

Getting there & parking

By car: A13 motorway, then RN 190, RN 13 or N 186. A cycle route along the Seine is suggested on the museum’s website.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop open Tuesday to Sunday: from 11:00 to 18:30 from April to October and until 18:00 from November to March, with postcards, art books and merchandise.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit