Musée Fabre

The Musée Fabre in Montpellier is considered one of the most important art museums in France and is recognized as a national museum. The museum's history begins in the early 19th century, when the city first built up a small municipal collection. The decisive impetus, however, came from the painter François-Xavier Fabre, who donated his personal art collection to the city in 1825. This gift, which included paintings, sculptures, and prints, led to the museum's official opening in 1828 in the renovated Hôtel de Massilian. Fabre was appointed its first director, and with his library and drawing school he laid the foundation for the site's cultural importance. After his death, the holdings were expanded by a further bequest from him, which also provided funds for the construction of new gallery spaces.

Over the decades, the collection grew through numerous significant donations, including works by Dutch and Flemish masters of the 17th century as well as an extensive collection from Alfred Bruyas. This included key works of Romanticism, Realism, and the Barbizon School. To house these treasures, the Galerie des Colonnes was built between 1875 and 1878. In the 20th century, the museum turned toward modern and contemporary art, a shift underscored by gifts from artists such as Henri Matisse and, later, Pierre Soulages. A comprehensive renovation, completed in 2007, significantly increased the exhibition space and created a new, contemporary wing designed specifically for Soulages's works.

You'll experience the museum in a historically evolved complex of buildings that combines several architectural eras. The tour leads through the rooms of a 17th-century Jesuit college, past the original museum building, and through the spectacular Galerie des Griffons, which has been restored to its original spatial volume. The architecture combines historic sites with modern glass pavilions dedicated to 20th-century art. In addition to the main building, the Hôtel de Cabrières-Sabatier d'Espeyran houses the decorative arts department. Here you can see furniture, faience, and goldsmith work from the 18th and 19th centuries, which convey the atmosphere of past eras in lavishly restored reception rooms.

The collection of the Musée Fabre is diverse, ranging from the Old Masters to contemporary art. Highlights include works by Rubens, Poussin, and Zurbarán as well as French masters such as Delacroix, Ingres, and Courbet. Especially noteworthy is the collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works, including paintings by Frédéric Bazille, a painter born in Montpellier, who strongly influenced Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin during their stay in the city. The modern section is interpreted as a history of light and includes works by artists such as Matisse, Dufy, and the Supports/Surfaces group. A special focus is placed on the work of Pierre Soulages, whose concept of "Outrenoir" is presented in specially designed galleries. Altogether, the museum offers a comprehensive look at European art history across more than 9,000 square meters.