Musee Fabre, Montpellier

Musee Fabre, Montpellier

Founded by Montpellier painter François-Xavier Fabre in 1825, the Musée Fabre houses one of the most important collections of European art in France.

Founded by Montpellier painter François-Xavier Fabre in 1825, the Musée Fabre houses one of the most important collections of European art in France. The collection of 9000 works spanning the period from the 15th century to the present day is housed in the 18th century Hôtel de Massillian in the heart of the city. Split into 3 main sections - Old Masters, Modern Movements, and Graphic Arts, the museum displays 900 works at a time.

Highlights of the Old Masters include ✓Jacques Blanchard's The Magdalen Madeleine, ✓Lionello Spada's Lamentation of the Dead Christ, ✓Jean-Baptiste Greuze's Le Petit Paresseux, ✓Andrea Vaccaro's The Martyrdom of St. Agatha, ✓Paul Rubens' Portrait of Frans Francken the Elder, ✓Jacques-Louis David's Hector, ✓Francisco de Zurbarán's The Angel Gabriel and St Agatha, ✓Paul Veronese's The Mystical Marriage of St. Catherine, ✓Alessandro Allori's Venus and Cupid, ✓Nicolas Poussin's Venus and Adonis.

Paintings from the 19th – 20th century include luminophile works and Fauvist pieces. Highlights are Édouard Manet's Portrait of Antonin Proust, ✓Claude Monet's Jardin en Fleurs in Sainte-Adresse, ✓Edgar Degas' A Nanny in the Garden of Luxembourg, ✓Eugène Delacroix's Fantasia and Algerian Women in their Room, ✓Alfred Sisley's The Heron with Wings Deployed, ✓Pierre Auguste Renoir's Frédéric Bazille painting on his Easel, ✓Gustave Courbet's Bonjour Monsieur Courbet, ✓Théodore Géricault's 'Anatomical Study', ✓François-Léon Benouville's The Wrath of Achilles, ✓and a collection by renowned local artist Alexandre Cabanel including Saint Paul surrounded by the Lions, ✓and Phaedra.

A great ensemble of sculptures and drawings round off the collection.

L’Hôtel de Cabrières-Sabatier d’Espeyran, a majestic 19th century mansion that lies 350 metres away on Place Martyrs de la Résistance, is attached to the museum. The opulent building is furnished with luxurious furniture, delicate ceramics, and objets d’art that offer a peek into the lives of aristocracy during that era.

Admission to temporary and permanent collections is €8 in winter and €10 in summer for adults. Admission is €7 in winter and €9 in summer for disabled persons, children aged 6-18 years, as well as students under the age of 26. Entry is reduced by €1 for admission to permanent collection only along with the Hôtel de Cabrières-Sabatier d’Espeyran. Discounts for large groups, families, and eligible pass-holders are also available.