Musée Gustave-Moreau

About the museum

In 1852, Gustave Moreau bought the small house at 14 rue de La Rochefoucauld, where he lived first with his parents and then alone. In April 1895 he asked the architect Albert Lafon to convert it into a museum. His will of 10 September 1897 entrusted the project to his old friend Henri Rupp, and the painter died on 18 April 1898.

After a lengthy inventory of the estate, Henri Rupp hung the works according to the artist’s wishes. The State accepted the bequest in 1902, and the museum opened in 1903; its layout has barely changed since.

The second floor holds the family apartments, presented as a small personal museum with portraits and works given by friends such as Chassériau, Fromentin and Degas. The third and fourth floors house two large north-facing studios, connected by a spiral staircase; the fourth floor was Moreau’s workspace. Several hundred paintings and watercolours and thousands of drawings can be shown there.

Highlights

• Two large glass-roofed studios on the third and fourth floors
• Spiral staircase by Albert Lafon
• Hésiode et la Muse by Gustave Moreau
• Family apartments on the second floor
• Cabinet of graphic arts
• House-studio kept in the state the artist wanted

Permanent exhibitions

• Les ateliers des deuxième et troisième étages – Two large glass-roofed studios connected by a spiral staircase, where Moreau’s paintings and watercolours hang.
• Les appartements du premier étage – The apartments of the painter’s family, with portraits and works given by friends such as Chassériau, Fromentin and Degas.
• Le cabinet des arts graphiques – Presentation of the artist’s drawings, of which the museum keeps thousands.

Founded

1903

Operated by

Établissement public du musée national Jean-Jacques Henner et du musée national Gustave Moreau

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of each month, 10:00–17:45; booking strongly recommended

The ticket also gives access for a limited time after the visit to the permanent collections of the Musée Jean-Jacques Henner, and reduced rates are offered at several partner museums (Orsay, Guimet, Vie romantique) on presentation of the ticket. The ticket includes the visit of the studios on the third and fourth floors; other spaces may open depending on visitor numbers, without guarantee.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• 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 has three staircases and no lift, so it is not accessible to wheelchair users. Deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors can use the ACCEO service free of charge.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Storytelling family visits listed in the programme. No family rate; pushchairs must be left at the reception desk.

Getting there & parking

RER A station Auber is about 660 m away. Vélib’ stations nearby: Saint-Georges–d’Aumale, Rochechouart–Auber and Saint-Lazare–place d’Estienne d’Orves.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check: not available
• Lockers: not available
• Wi-Fi

Bookshop specialising in Gustave Moreau, Symbolism and artists’ houses. Wi-Fi for visitors during opening hours. No cloakroom or luggage storage: bags, suitcases and backpacks are not accepted; the museum recommends private luggage storage services in the neighbourhood.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 100 guests.

Hire of the two large studios (172 m² each), preferably on Tuesdays or on weekdays after closing, from 18:00; receptions, cocktails, lectures and private visits. Contact: privatisation.moreau@henner-moreau.fr.

Plan your visit