Musée départemental d'art moderne – collection Zervos (MDAM)

About the museum

Christian Zervos, art critic and publisher of the journal Cahiers d’Art, died in September 1970 and bequeathed to the commune of Vézelay his house at La Goulotte, small Parisian flats and a group of paintings, drawings and sculptures. In 1986 the collection was shown for the first time in the former home of the writer Romain Rolland, which Zervos had bought in 1937.

After a first museum project failed, the commune turned to the Yonne departmental council (Conseil général) in 1998. The scientific project was approved in 2002, and the works, entrusted to architect Pietro Cremonini, were completed in 2005. The museum opened to the public in March 2006 and is run directly by the department. It holds the designations Musée de France and Maison des Illustres (house of illustrious figures).

The collections mainly feature artists active in Paris between 1925 and 1965: the sculptors Giacometti, González, Laurens and Calder; the painters Picasso, Hélion, Ernst and Kandinsky; and drawings and watercolors by Miró, Lam and Balla. Acquisitions, loans and deposits, notably from the Centre Pompidou and the Musée national Picasso-Paris, complement the holdings. Romain Rolland’s desk and piano can still be seen in the house.

Highlights

• “La Sauterelle” by Max Ernst
• “Formes noires sur blanc” by Wassily Kandinsky
• “Harmonie des sphères” by Alexander Calder
• “Mousquetaire à l’épée” by Pablo Picasso
• Romain Rolland’s desk and piano in his house

Permanent exhibition

• Collection Zervos – Modern art in Romain Rolland’s house: works by Picasso, Miró, Giacometti, Calder, Kandinsky and other artists of the Paris scene from 1925 to 1965.

Founded

2006

Operated by

Département de l'Yonne

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Last Sunday of every month; also during special events such as concerts, lectures, European Heritage Days, Museum Night and private views.

The ticket gives access to the permanent collection and the temporary displays. Also free: journalists on assignment with an appointment, group tour guides, ICOM members and Ministry of Culture staff, and school visits. Individual guided tour: €8; group guided tour: €6 per person.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Family workshop every Wednesday from 14:30 to 16:30 (except July and August), free, for one child from age 4 accompanied by an adult, without booking; the adult pays admission. Educational programme for schools and leisure centers.

Getting there & parking

By car: about 2 hours from Paris and 2 hours 30 minutes from Lyon; A6 motorway, exit Avallon (no. 22) or Nitry (no. 21), then route nationale 6. Avallon has an airfield for private aircraft.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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