Musée de La Roche-sur-Yon – Espace Malraux
Fine arts museum in La Roche-sur-Yon, temporarily housed in the former André-Malraux nursery school and devoted to painter Paul Baudry and illustrator Benjamin Rabier.
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About the museum
The municipal museum was founded in 1847 and first displayed on the 1st floor of the town hall. In 1854 the Société d'émulation de la Vendée was tasked with gathering artworks, archaeological finds and natural science objects for it. It then moved into a purpose-built building, constructed from 1877 to 1880 by municipal architect Auguste Boudaud. After closing in 1997, the museum reopened in 2003 and received the Musée de France label.
The historic building closed at the end of June 2019. The museum then moved into the former André-Malraux nursery school, renovated in 2022. This temporary venue opened on 25 March 2023 and offers some 450 square metres of exhibition space, with five permanent rooms and a temporary exhibition room. A new museum is planned for 2028 in the former Conservatoire on Place Napoléon.
The collections combine paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, photographs, graphic arts and furniture. The museum holds the largest public collection of works by Paul Baudry (1826–1886), the painter from La Roche-sur-Yon known for his decorations of the Paris Opera. A substantial part is devoted to the illustrator Benjamin Rabier. The display shows the everyday life of academic artists in the 19th century: their training, their careers, their commissions and the circulation of their works.
Highlights
- The largest public collection of works by Paul Baudry
- Space devoted to illustrator Benjamin Rabier
- Circuit on the lives of academic artists in the 19th century
- Paintings, sculptures, decorative arts and photographs
- Family visits “Les copains de Nino”
Permanent exhibition
- Parcours permanent : Paul Baudry, Benjamin Rabier et les artistes du XIXe siècle – Five permanent rooms on the training and careers of academic artists, with works by Paul Baudry and a space devoted to Benjamin Rabier.
- Founded
- 1847
- Operated by
- Ville de La Roche-sur-Yon
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups | –Groups of 3 to 25 people are accepted (according to the regional tourism portal). |
|---|
Free admission according to the listing on the regional tourism portal Atlantic Loire Valley; the city's page does not mention a rate. Guided visits for school classes are free, by reservation.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
Family visit “Les copains de Nino”; the museum is housed in a former nursery school.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
According to the regional tourism portal listing: library, shop, Wi-Fi and picnic area; animals are not admitted.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Public guided visits: discovery of the museum, “Devenir artiste au XIXe siècle”, “L'univers de Benjamin Rabier” and “Les copains de Nino” for families. Once a month, on a Tuesday at 13:15, “Une œuvre, un café” offers a conversation about one or two works together with the Friends of the Museum association. For schools, there are six free thematic visits of 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, by reservation. |
