What to do · Fontainebleau
Barbizon and the painters' museum at the Auberge Ganne
Information
- Duration
- 2 h
- Season
- All year, except Tuesdays
- Who it's for
- Adults and teenagers
In the 19th century, a group of painters settled in Barbizon, on the edge of the forest, to paint outdoors: Théodore Rousseau, Millet and the others of the Barbizon school, who paved the way for the Impressionists. They stayed at the Auberge Ganne and left its walls and furniture painted.
The museum
The departmental museum of the Barbizon painters occupies the former Auberge Ganne, at 92 Grande Rue, and Théodore Rousseau's house-studio. It is open every day except Tuesday, from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 17:30, until 18:00 from April to October. It closes on 1 May, 24 and 25 December and 1 January.
The village
The Grande Rue has stone houses, galleries and Barbizon's tourist office, at 84 bis. It is about 10 km from Fontainebleau by road through the forest: you need a car.
Tips
- Combine it with the palace Morning at the palace, lunch in the town and afternoon in Barbizon. Careful: on Tuesday both are closed.
Frequently asked questions
Which day is the Barbizon museum closed?
Tuesdays.
Can I get there by public transport?
Not practically: the sensible way is to go by car from Fontainebleau.
