Musée Fabre, Montpellier

Q: What are the Musée Fabre's most famous paintings?

Frédéric Bazille's studio scenes are the signature works. Courbet's self-portrait and his portrait of Baudelaire are key pieces. Cabanel's Academic paintings also feature prominently.

Q: Why is the Bazille collection important?

Frédéric Bazille was born in Montpellier and the museum holds his largest group of works anywhere. He painted alongside Monet and Renoir before dying in the Franco-Prussian War at age 28. His early Impressionist canvases are here.

Q: What art movements does the Musée Fabre cover?

Strong in 17th-century European painting, Academic art, and early Impressionism. Cabanel was from the region, so the museum holds several of his large salon paintings. Pierre Soulages's abstract works have their own dedicated wing.

Q: What's the building's history?

Founded in 1828 by painter François-Xavier Fabre, who donated his art collection to Montpellier. The museum was renovated in 2007 and expanded significantly. Bazille's works finally got proper display space in the renovation. It's now one of France's largest regional museums.

Montpellier, France

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Visitor Information

Museum Address

39 Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle, 34000 Montpellier, France

Montpellier, France

Ticket Prices

€7-10 (under 18 free)

Official Website →

Featured Artists

6 artists in database

1Alexandre Cabanel6 works 2Jacques-Louis David2 works 3Gustave Courbet2 works 4Frédéric Bazille2 works 5Eugène Delacroix1 work

The Musée Fabre was founded in 1825 when painter François-Xavier Fabre donated his collection to his hometown of Montpellier. A pupil of Jacques-Louis David and winner of the Grand Prix de l'Académie, Fabre trained as a history painter in Rome before becoming a sought-after portraitist in Florence. His generosity inspired others, notably Antoine Valedau who donated Dutch and Flemish masters, and Alfred Bruyas who modernized the collection in 1868.

The Bruyas collection transformed the museum, bringing works that now define it. Gustave Courbet's famous "Bonjour, Monsieur Courbet!" and eight other masterpieces anchor the 19th-century galleries. Eugène Delacroix represents Romanticism. Frédéric Bazille's Languedoc paintings capture southern light at the dawn of Impressionism. Neoclassical works by David and Fabre himself complete the French holdings. After a €61 million renovation completed in 2007, the museum is recognized as one of France's most important regional galleries.

Visiting Musée Fabre, Montpellier

Frédéric Bazille's studio scenes are the signature works. Courbet's self-portrait and his portrait of Baudelaire are key pieces. Cabanel's Academic paintings also feature prominently.

Frédéric Bazille was born in Montpellier and the museum holds his largest group of works anywhere. He painted alongside Monet and Renoir before dying in the Franco-Prussian War at age 28. His early Impressionist canvases are here.

Strong in 17th-century European painting, Academic art, and early Impressionism. Cabanel was from the region, so the museum holds several of his large salon paintings. Pierre Soulages's abstract works have their own dedicated wing.

Not free, but admission is around €8. The first Sunday of each month is free. The museum is on the Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle in central Montpellier. Courbet's Realist paintings are on the upper floor near the Bazille galleries.

Founded in 1828 by painter François-Xavier Fabre, who donated his art collection to Montpellier. The museum was renovated in 2007 and expanded significantly. Bazille's works finally got proper display space in the renovation. It's now one of France's largest regional museums.

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Please note: Artwork locations and display status may change. Some paintings may be on loan, in restoration, or moved to different galleries within the museum. We recommend contacting Musée Fabre, Montpellier directly to confirm specific artwork availability before your visit.

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