Bayonne, France
5 Rue Jacques Laffitte, 64100 Bayonne, France
Bayonne, France
€9-11 (under 18 free)
6 artists in database
The Musée Bonnat-Helleu in Bayonne houses one of France's finest collections of Old Master drawings outside Paris, earned through the generosity of local painter Léon Bonnat. Born in Bayonne in 1833, Bonnat became one of France's leading portrait painters and an obsessive collector. When he died in 1922, he had already donated his vast holdings to his hometown, including paintings, sculptures, and over 3,500 drawings by masters from Leonardo to Ingres. The museum opened in 1901 in a purpose-built structure.
The drawing cabinet rivals the Louvre's, with sheets by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Dürer, and Rembrandt. Paintings by El Greco, Gustave Doré, and Géricault fill the galleries. Dante and Virgil in the Ninth Circle by Doré shows French Romantic drama. Bonnat's own portraits and history paintings document his career. The museum closed in 2011 for major renovation and reopened in late 2025 with doubled exhibition space. The "Helleu" in its name honors Paul César Helleu, whose works entered through later donations. Locals call it "the little Louvre."
Musée Bonnat-Helleu in Bayonne, France houses 10 masterpieces in our database, including works by Léon Bonnat, Leonardo da Vinci and Albrecht Dürer and 3 other artists. Notable works include Dante and Virgil in the Ninth Circle of Hell and Sleeping Woman.
Browse 10 notable artworks in our database. Click any work to see details and plan your visit.

Gustave Doré, 1861
Musée Bonnat-Helleu, Bayonne

Maurice Denis
Musée Bonnat-Helleu, Bayonne

Leonardo da Vinci
Musée Bonnat-Helleu, Bayonne

Léon Bonnat
Musée Bonnat-Helleu, Bayonne

Léon Bonnat
Musée Bonnat-Helleu, Bayonne

Léon Bonnat
Musée Bonnat-Helleu, Bayonne

Théodore Géricault
Musée Bonnat-Helleu, Bayonne

Léon Bonnat
Musée Bonnat-Helleu, Bayonne

Léon Bonnat
Musée Bonnat-Helleu, Bayonne

Albrecht Dürer
Musée Bonnat-Helleu, Bayonne
Bring luxury art into your home with gallery-worthy canvas prints.
Browse Our CollectionPlease 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 Bonnat-Helleu directly to confirm specific artwork availability before your visit.
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