Musée Louis-Jourdan de Saint-Paul-de-Varax
Small municipal museum devoted to the landscapes of the painter Louis Jourdan and to his village of Saint-Paul-de-Varax in the Dombes; open in season.
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About the museum
The museum was founded in 1960 in Saint-Paul-de-Varax to house some forty paintings by Louis Jourdan, bequeathed to the town by his widow. It opened in 1962 in the former presbytery where the painter had lived. Since 2008 it has been in its current location and bears the “Musée de France” label.
Louis Jourdan, born in Bourg-en-Bresse in 1872, first worked as a hairdresser’s assistant in Lyon while painting on the side. With young painters, he came to paint in Saint-Paul-de-Varax on Sunday outings. Settled in Paris from 1907, he returned to the village every year, working there from May to September. A self-taught landscape painter, he found in the village the essence of his inspiration: nature, farm life and the village itself. He died in 1948.
The collection consists mainly of paintings by Louis Jourdan, with some works by his painter friends Migonney, Morisot and Villon, as well as personal objects that belonged to the artist. A film about village life in 1934, in which the painter appears, completes the visit, and a waymarked trail leads to the places he painted.
Highlights
- Landscapes of the Dombes painted by Louis Jourdan
- Works by his painter friends Migonney, Morisot and Villon
- Personal belongings of the painter
- Film on village life in 1934
- Waymarked trail “Sur les pas” of the painter (2 to 3 hours’ walk)
- Musée de France
Permanent exhibition
- Collection Louis Jourdan – Landscapes of Saint-Paul-de-Varax and the Dombes by Louis Jourdan, works by his painter friends and the artist’s personal objects.
- Founded
- 1960
- Operated by
- Commune de Saint-Paul-de-Varax, avec l'association « Sur les pas de Louis Jourdan »
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €2.50 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 11 · Free admission for children under 12. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €2 per personRate per person from 10 people, all year round by appointment (40 people maximum). |
The individual rate of €2.50 applies during the open season. Payment by cheque or cash.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- 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 is accessible by wheelchair without assistance, with a hard-surfaced floor. A person can be dropped off in front of the site. Animals are not admitted.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Free parking
Free parking close to the museum, with a coach space, according to the tourist portal of the Ain département.
Amenities & dining
Public toilets nearby, according to the tourist portal of the Ain département.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours and educational visits on request for groups (duration given as about 1 hour). The visit to the church can be combined with the museum on request. A film about village life in 1934 is screened. A waymarked trail with explanatory panels follows the places painted by the artist. |
