Musée de Montmartre: The Collection Telling the Story of Montmartre during the Belle Époque

The Artist's District welcomes art and culture enthusiasts at the Musée de Montmartre, precisely in the Maison de Rosimond, a 12th-century building surrounded by charming gardens overlooking the ancient vineyards of the hill. The museum hosts a unique collection of paintings, photographs, and posters that allow visitors to relive the artistic atmosphere of the Montmartre district during the "belle époque" and other significant moments in its history.

Residence and Meeting Place

Rue Cortot has attracted and hosted numerous artists. Auguste Renoir had his studio in the Maison de Rosimond in the early days of Impressionism, where he produced some of his most famous paintings, including "Bal du moulin de la Galette" and "La Danse à la ville," which are now housed at the Musée d'Orsay. Susanne Valadon, who was a model for Renoir, moved there with her son Maurice Utrillo, one of the few famous painters born and raised in Montmartre.

Also in the Maison de Rosimond, Emile Bernard, a friend of Gauguin, and the "fauves" Friesz and Dufy, brought their brightly colored paintings to life. Furthermore, many writers and poets found inspiration for their works there.

The Permanent Collections

The collection at the Musée de Montmartre features over 300 paintings, posters, drawings, and series of photographs that tell the story of the district from 1880 to 1914. This collection of works is constantly being enhanced by the Société d'Histoire et d'Archéologie, which is dedicated to preserving the artistic, historical, and cultural heritage of the Butte.

Included in the collection are Vieux Montmartre:

The Posters of Toulouse-Lautrec

Considered "the spirit of Montmartre," Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is the great illustrator of Montmartre's nightlife. Aristide Bruant, Yvette Guibert, and Louise Weber, the famous can-can dancer known as La Goulue, are the icons he portrayed most.

The Shadow Theatre of Le Chat Noir

Le Chat Noir, founded by Rodolphe Salis in 1881, is the first avant-garde literary, artistic, and musical cabaret in Paris. A symbol of bohemian Paris at the end of the 19th century, it is particularly known for its major attraction, "the shadow theatre," founded in 1886 by Henri Rivière.

The Collection of Paintings

Even today, Montmartre is the muse for painters who love to paint outdoors. In addition to works by masters like Modigliani, Steinlen, Utrillo, and Kupka, the museum is filled with pieces by lesser-known painters whose stories are worth discovering.

Temporary Exhibitions

The museum periodically hosts temporary exhibitions and shows. For detailed information on upcoming exhibitions, you can visit the official website.

Renoir's Gardens

Just a short walk from Place du Tertre and with a magnificent view of the vineyards of Montmartre, there are three gardens where Renoir found inspiration for his paintings. A vibrant nature of pear and almond trees, lilacs, hydrangeas, and shrubs invites visitors directly into the paintings of the famous artist and the palette of the Impressionists.

Opening Hours

The Musée de Montmartre is open every day from 10 AM to 6 PM.

Want to learn more about this area of Paris? Check out our video that we made while walking through the picturesque streets of Montmartre:

Address

12-14 Rue Cortot 75018 Paris, France

Getting There

France Lamarck - Caulaincourt stop, then Anvers stop followed by the Montmartre funicular, or Pigalle stop then take the Montmartrobus to the Saules-Cortot stop.