At 14 Rue Catherine de la Rochefoucauld in Paris’s 9th arrondissement, the Gustave Moreau Museum occupies the painter’s former home and studio. Its rooms bring together finished paintings, unfinished canvases and drawings that reveal how Moreau developed his ideas. In the tall studio, look for the spiral staircase and canvases covering the walls; elsewhere, hinged drawing cases let you browse studies of mythical creatures, anatomy and plants. English-language painting guides and information cards help you spend time with the collection at your own pace.
Moreau’s home and studio
The museum is in the house where Gustave Moreau lived and worked. In 1897, he gave the property and its contents to the French state. His former family apartments and studios now provide the setting for a collection devoted to his work and creative life.
The visit moves from the more intimate rooms of the home to the large studios above. There, paintings cover the walls, and their scale and placement let you see how Moreau assembled his artistic world around him.
Following a painting from sketch to canvas
Finished paintings share space with unfinished works, sketches and watercolours. The variety makes it possible to compare stages of Moreau’s process: some works remain loose studies, while others develop into carefully worked compositions. Look closely at the drawings for mythical creatures, animal anatomy and botanical details. They connect his imaginative subjects with close observation of nature.
Drawing cases hold further studies in retractable folders. Take time to turn through them; they reveal ideas that are less visible in the large canvases. Large text panels explain many of the paintings and include words by Moreau. Room guides in English are also available to help identify works.
The spiral staircase
A wrought-iron spiral staircase links the studio floors and is one of the house’s most distinctive features. From it, you can take in the height of the studio and the paintings arranged around the walls. The staircase also gives the visit a clear route through the upper rooms, where Moreau’s working spaces and art collection meet.
FAQ
Where is the Gustave Moreau Museum?
It is at 14 Rue Catherine de la Rochefoucauld in Paris’s 9th arrondissement.
Is admission free on the first Sunday of the month?
Free admission is available on the first Sunday of the month. An online reservation is required.
How long should I allow for a visit?
About one hour is a reasonable amount of time to explore the museum.
Can parts of the museum be closed?
Yes. Some floors have been closed during visits, so check which areas are open before you go.
