On the Grande Rue in Barbizon, the musée départemental des peintres de Barbizon tells the story of this small village on the outskirts which, in the 19th century, became, the cradle of plein air painting. This is the place to visit if you want to understand why so many artists have set up their easels facing the Forest of Fontainebleau.
The Ganne Inn, the artists’ guesthouse
The museum is housed in the’the former Ganne inn, where the painters used to stay, eat and put the world to rights. The ground floor has retained the atmosphere of that era, with its kitchen-pantry and dining rooms. Upstairs, in the former bedrooms, one discovers sketches and studies painted directly onto the walls by visiting artists: this is undoubtedly the most moving part of the visit.
Rousseau, Corot, Millet and the others
The permanent collection comprises around a hundred works by Théodore Rousseau, Camille Corot, Jean-François Millet and their contemporaries. The tour continues to the Théodore Rousseau’s home and studio, which hosts temporary exhibitions.
Tours, workshops and talks
Throughout the year, the museum offers guided tours, children’s workshops and talks. It’s also the ideal starting point for a stroll in the footsteps of the painters, from the Grande Rue to the rocks in the forest. This page lists the events it organises: combine them with lunch in Barbizon for a lovely day out.
