Musée Fabre
Occitanie
Musée Fabre, located in Montpellier, southern France, is a renowned art museum founded in 1825 by the painter François-Xavier Fabre. It houses an extensive collection of over 2,000 paintings, 900 engravings, and 3,500 drawings, spanning from the 15th to the 20th century, including notable works by French masters such as Jacques-Louis David, Jean-Honoré Fragonard, and Gustave Courbet, as well as important Italian, Flemish, and Spanish artists. The museum is installed in the historic Hôtel de Massilian, an 18th-century mansion, and expanded over time to include adjacent buildings such as the former Jesuit college. A major renovation from 2003 to 2007 modernized the museum, increasing exhibition space threefold and adding a contemporary wing, while preserving historic interiors like the grand staircase designed by Fabre himself. The museum also features ceramics and sculpture collections, including works by Antoine Bourdelle and Aristide Maillol. Recognized as a Musée de France, it plays a vital cultural role in Montpellier and hosts rotating temporary exhibitions and educational workshops.
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Tip: For the best experience, visit Musée Fabre during weekdays to avoid crowds and consider booking tickets in advance, especially for special exhibitions. The museum offers free entry on certain days such as the first Sunday of the month and occasional free access events. Tram lines 1, 2, and 4 provide convenient access via the Comédie and Corum stops. Check the official website for current temporary exhibitions and guided tours, and book workshops early as they can fill quickly.
Interesting facts
- •Musée Fabre's collection includes masterpieces by Jacques-Louis David, including "Hector" and "Portrait of Doctor Alphonse Leroy".
- •The museum underwent a major 62.7 million euro renovation completed in 2007, tripling its exhibition space.
- •François-Xavier Fabre, the museum's founder, was also the designer of the museum's grand staircase.
- •The museum holds significant works by Fauvist painters such as Frédéric Bazille and Raoul Dufy.
- •The building includes historic parts dating back to the 15th century, originally part of Montpellier's medieval city walls.
History
Musée Fabre was established in 1825 following a generous donation of artworks by François-Xavier Fabre, a Montpellier-born painter.
The museum initially opened in the refurbished Hôtel de Massilian in 1828.
Subsequent significant donations from collectors like Antoine Valedau, Jules Bonnet-Mel, Alfred Bruyas, and Jules Canonge greatly enriched the collection through the 19th century.
The museum expanded its premises by acquiring adjacent historic buildings, including the Jesuit college.
Between 2003 and 2007, a major renovation and expansion project modernized the museum, tripling its exhibition space and adding new galleries, culminating in a grand reopening in February 2007.
Place Guide
Hôtel de Massilian18th century
The original 18th-century mansion housing Musée Fabre, featuring preserved historic interiors including the grand staircase designed by Fabre and the Salle des Griffons with its neo-Etruscan frieze.
Modern Wing and Temporary Exhibition Hall2007
Added during the 2003-2007 renovation, this wing significantly expanded the museum's exhibition space, including a 1,000 m² hall for temporary exhibitions and galleries dedicated to contemporary art.
Permanent Painting Collection
Showcases over 800 paintings from the 15th to 20th centuries, including French masters like Jacques-Louis David and Gustave Courbet, Italian Renaissance artists such as Paolo Veronese, and Flemish painters like Peter Paul Rubens.
Sculpture Collection
Features works by notable sculptors including Antoine Bourdelle, Jean-Antoine Houdon, René Iché, Aristide Maillol, and Germaine Richier, complementing the museum's painting collections.
Contact
Phone: 04 67 14 83 00