Musée Fabre

Montpellier, France

The Musée Fabre was founded by François-Xavier Fabre, a Montpellier painter, in 1825. It is one of the main sights of Montpellier. The town of Montpellier was given thirty paintings in 1802 which formed the basis of a modest municipal museum under the Empire, moving between various temporary sites. In 1825, the town council accepted a large donation of works from Fabre and the museum was installed in the refurbished Hôtel de Massillian, officially opened on 3 December 1828. Fabre's generosity led others to follow his example, notably Antoine Valedau who donated his collection of Dutch and Flemish masters to the city. On the death of Fabre in 1837, a legacy of more than a hundred pictures and drawings completed the collection.

In 1864, Jules Bonnet-Mel, an art collector from Pézenas, bequeathed 400 drawings and 28 paintings. In 1868, Alfred Bruyas offered the works from his private gallery to the city. He is credited with having moved the museum collection into the modern era. In 1870, Jules Canonge, from Nîmes, gave a collection of more than 350 drawings. A legacy of Bruyas of more than 200 works completed his gift in 1877.

In 1968, Mme Sabatier d'Espeyran in accordance with the will of her husband, a diplomat and great bibliophile, gave to the city their hôtel particulier, built under the Third Republic along with its contents.

Around 2001, the Library moved out of the complex, freeing a sizeable area and offering the chance to carry out a major modernisation and enhancement of the building. This took four years and included a whole new wing. The building re-opened in 2007.

On display are ceramics from Greece and the rest of Europe. Furthermore, the museum has a large collection of paintings from the 17th until the 19th century, with a large representation of the luminophiles movement. There is also sculptures.

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Details

Founded: 1825
Category: Museums in France

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Alex B. (Ego) (10 months ago)
Very spacious, very interesting, without crowds. A must visit place!
Uruguruu (13 months ago)
The security was kinda heavy which was kinda understandable but still felt threatening. Art Isn't really for me but I liked the pieces and the Vibe of the museum in general. The fact that it was free for Students under 18 boosted it to 5 Stars.
K S (13 months ago)
Lots of famous, meant to be impressive art, the general exhibition was presented in a fairly boring and conservative way with little detail in terms of information, though maybe that's in the audio guide which we didn't go for. €9 to enter seems ok, didn't think it was particularly exciting.
Hitomi Oshima (13 months ago)
Attended a guided tour for the elementary children (6-9 years old). The guide was very polite, kind and informative with good knowledge and gentleness with the children. We also enjoyed a workshop after the tour very much.
Arindam K. Das (14 months ago)
I had an incredible experience visiting Musée Fabre in Montpellier. This museum is a true gem! The collection of art and sculptures is outstanding, showcasing both classical and contemporary pieces. The way they've curated and displayed the artworks is both informative and visually stunning. What's even more amazing is that they offer FREE entry on the first Sunday of every month! This makes it incredibly accessible to everyone who wants to explore the world of art and culture. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, offering insights into the history and significance of the pieces. The museum's architecture and ambiance create a tranquil atmosphere that's perfect for immersing yourself in art. I highly recommend visiting Musée Fabre if you're in Montpellier, especially on the first Sunday of the month. It's a cultural treasure that's sure to leave a lasting impression. Don't miss out on this enriching experience!
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