Musée de l'atelier de Rosa Bonheur

Museum of the studio of Rosa Bonheur

The painter, an important figure in the 19th century, comes back to life in a moving visit to her studio in Seine-et-Marne, west of Paris, where time seems to have stood still since her death on 25 May 1889

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Description

She was one of the most adored artists of her time, rubbing shoulders with the most important figures, princes and kings, and was respected even in the most remote regions of the United States. And yet, this French animal painter to whom we owe the famous Labourage Nivernais exhibited at the Musée d'Orsay remains little known in her own country.

Rosa Bonheur Château: a unique destination between authenticity and emotion

Time seems to stands still in her studio.at the By Castle where she spent the last 40 years of her life. We discover her beloved stuffed pets, painting cabinet, sculptures, sketches, photography studio and more personal objects such as her embroidered blouse, hat, boots, palettes, brushes, colours, sketchbooks and notes, right down to her cigarette butts. Even the canvas she didn't have time to finish seems to be waiting for her on her easel. You can almost hear the footsteps of Empress Eugenie on the stairs, there to present the Legion of Honour to this great artist, a feminist ahead of her time.

The adjoining charming tea room offers you a gentle gourmet break. Sweet or savoury, the recipes, imagined by Céline, Rosa Bonheur's faithful cook, are made from organic products grown for the most part in the château's orchard and vegetable garden. The Sunday brunch is so popular that it is even advisable to book in advance!

An exceptional guest room

And for a total experience, why not stay at the castle for a night like no other? The faithfully restored Mistress's room awaits you with its timeworn furniture, the delicate fall of the hangings, the smell of the waxed parquet floor… Unless you choose to stay on the top floor of the house, in Rosa's winter studio. This is where she liked to take refuge to paint when it was too cold and her large studio was too difficult to heat.
A blissfull moment to be savoured during a well-deserved weekend, far from the hustle and bustle of the city!

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Community facilities

Access and contact

Château de By
12 rue Rosa Bonheur
77810 Thomery

    Days and opening hours

    All year round, every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 10.30 am and 6.30 pm. Closed exceptionally on January 1st and December 25th. Online booking is required. Visit with a paper guide with QR code to listen to the explanations. Headphones are not provided. The tearoom is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm.

    Prices

    • Full price: from 17 € Reduced price: from 10 € Child: from 1 € (Under 6 years old).
      Group rate available for > 20 people.

    Facility

    • Auditorium
    • Toilets
    • Exhibition space
    • Restaurant
    • Meeting room
    • Parking

    Services

    • Room hire
    • Booking obligatory
    • Shop
    • Guided tours
    • Online shop

    Activities

    • Concert
    • Temporary exhibition
    • Permanent exhibition

    Tour

    Spoken languages

    • English
    • French

    Guided tour languages

    • English
    • French

    Single services tour

    • Guided inividual tours obligatory
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    Accessibility

    • WC + grab handle + adequate space to move

    Château de By
    12 rue Rosa Bonheur
    77810 Thomery

    • Copyright image:
    • © Château Rosa Bonheur