Musée national Jean-Jacques Henner

About the museum

Jean-Jacques Henner died childless in 1905. His nephew Jules Henner, the universal legatee, wanted to create a museum in his memory, but his accidental death in 1913 halted the project. His widow, Marie Henner, carried it on: in 1922 she bought the townhouse at 43 avenue de Villiers from the heirs of Guillaume Dubufe and had it converted by the architect Marcel Legendre to show the painter’s works. On June 19, 1923, she gave the building and the collections to the State; the national museum opened to the public on March 8, 1924.

The townhouse had been acquired in 1878 by Guillaume Dubufe, a decorator and painter who used it as a reception venue, a home and a studio, in an eclectic style with Oriental references. Marie Henner sought to erase the traces of Dubufe in order to showcase Henner. A mosaic, covered over in 1926, was rediscovered in the early 2000s and led to several renovation campaigns, in 2008–2009 and 2014–2016, which reopened the winter garden and the salon with columns. The museum received the “Maison des Illustres” label in 2019.

The collections bring together portraits, history paintings, genre scenes and landscapes, as well as more intimate works by Henner and elements evoking his studio. The museum also hosts an artist residency and a cultural and musical programme.

Highlights

• 1878 townhouse with decorative schemes from Guillaume Dubufe’s studio-house
• Winter garden and salon with columns, renovated in 2014–2016
• Portraits, history paintings, genre scenes and landscapes by Jean-Jacques Henner
• Intimate works and the painter’s studio
• “Maison des Illustres” label since 2019

Permanent exhibitions

• Collections permanentes de Jean-Jacques Henner – Portraits, history paintings, genre scenes, landscapes and intimate works by Henner, presented in Dubufe’s former studio-house.
• La demeure de Guillaume Dubufe – Visit of the 1878 townhouse and its eclectic decorative schemes, with the winter garden and the salon with columns.

Founded

1924

Operated by

Ministère de la Culture

Visitors per year

approx. 39,588

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of every month

The single ticket gives access to the permanent collections of the Henner Museum and the Gustave Moreau Museum for seven days. Free admission is also available, with proof, for holders of the Paris Museum Pass, job seekers and recipients of minimum social benefits, journalists, licensed guides and ICOM members. With the admission ticket, a reduced rate is granted at several partner museums in the days following the visit.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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 to visitors with reduced mobility, and a lift serves all the visiting spaces. A wheelchair or seat-cane is lent on request at reception. Deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors can contact the museum through the Acceo service.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Storytelling family tours (can be booked privately for a birthday), “crime” tours for teenagers, artistic practice workshops for children, and family days around Saint Nicholas. A paper activity booklet is available free at reception. At home, there are stories to listen to, games to download and creative videos. The museum has signed the Mom’art charter. Certain dates feature a fantastical candlelit tour from age 4.

Getting there & parking

Vélib’ station on rue de Phalsbourg; Lime stations on rue Fortuny and rue de Prony.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Bookshop with books on Henner and the Plaine Monceau, postcards and merchandise. A security check takes place at the entrance; suitcases and large bags are prohibited.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 100 guests.

Winter garden (54 m²), salon with columns (79 m²) and exhibition spaces (175 m² over three levels): 70 people on the ground floor, 100 across the whole museum. Private hire on Tuesdays, or on other days before 11:00 and from 18:00.

Plan your visit