Maison des illustres guide

The inventor of Braille hails from Seine-et-Marne: his former home has been turned into a museum.

In Seine-et-Marne, the museum brings to life the birthplace of the inventor of braille. We tell you more about this little-known cultural venue and the story of Louis Braille, the man who created the language that now bears his name.

La maison de Victor Hugo à Paris, une immersion artistique dans l'univers du célèbre écrivain français

La Maison de Victor Hugo is hidden in Place des Vosges, in the heart of Paris. This museum dedicated to the most famous of French authors lets visitors step into the apartment where the artist and his family lived, as well as into his artistic universe.

Yvelines: the little-known château that inspired Ronsard and Cézanne is open to visitors!

Nestled on the banks of the Seine in Médan, Yvelines, the Château de Médan is a former hunting lodge listed as a Historic Monument, a site whose history weaves together poetry, painting and royal intrigues. The château is open to visitors once a month, for group bookings, or on special occasions such as Open Gardens or Heritage Days—we’ve got the full details.

The Musée Jean-Jacques Henner: a workshop preserving the Alsatian painter's legacy in Paris

Little-known to Parisians, the Musée Jean-Jacques Henner is a veritable artistic treasure trove, bequeathed by the Alsatian painter's family in a private mansion as beautiful as the paintings it houses.

The Musée Gustave Moreau, the painter's timeless home and studio in Paris

The Musée Gustave Moreau is a confidential Parisian museum nestled in the 9th arrondissement, where you can visit the artist's apartment and studio, and admire his famous staircase and numerous works of the Symbolist movement.

Maison des Jardies in Sèvres: Explore the former homes of Honoré de Balzac and Léon Gambetta in the 92nd arrondissement

In Sèvres (92), the Maison des Jardies, recognized as a House of Illustrious Figures, hides behind its trellis facade a rich and captivating 19th-century history. Once a refuge for Balzac and later for Gambetta, this former winemaker’s home now opens its doors to visitors eager to explore. Just a short drive from Paris, it offers an intimate dive into France’s cultural heritage.

Auguste Comte's house, a memorial to the philosopher of positivism in Paris

In the heart of Paris' Latin Quarter, discover Auguste Comte's apartment-museum. A Maison des Illustres, it plunges us into the philosophy of the founder of French positivism.

Maisons des Illustres in Paris and the Ile-de-France region: where to find them, what they represent...

There are 37 Maisons des Illustres in Paris and the Île-de-France region, celebrating personalities who have left a lasting mark on the world of culture or science. Discover their history, and where to find them in the Paris region.

The Maison de Balzac, home of the famous writer, and its secret garden overlooking the Eiffel Tower

The Maison de Balzac, one of the famous writer's homes, is one of the capital's literary gems, located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. This house-museum also boasts an incredible garden overlooking the Eiffel Tower, as well as a café.

Musée Jean-Jacques Rousseau: visit the famous philosopher's house museum in Montmorency (95)

The Maison-Musée Jean-Jacques Rousseau, better known as the Petit Mont-Louis in Montmorency, opens the doors to the refuge where the philosopher wrote his masterpieces. Between his study, his bedroom and contemporary art exhibitions, this listed historic monument combines heritage, philosophy and nature to offer an inspiring visit in the heart of Val-d'Oise (95).

The Maison Jean Monnet: behind the scenes of the creation of Europe at Bazoches-sur-Guyonne (78)

Nestled in the greenery of the Yvelines region, the Maison Jean Monnet offers an intimate, free immersion in European history. It was here, in this peaceful residence in Bazoches-sur-Guyonne, that Europe was born.

Did you know? There is another Rodin Museum ... and it's hidden away in Meudon, in the heart of the 92 region!

Just a stone's throw from Paris, there's another Rodin museum just around the corner... and it's no Plan B! Nestled in Meudon, in a verdant setting in the Hauts-de-Seine department (92), this confidential site plunges you into the world of the sculptor with striking authenticity. House, workshop, park... everything you need to rediscover Rodin in a different way - free of charge, without reservation and in the heart of nature, every weekend until the end of September.

The Musée Mallarmé in Vulaines-sur-Seine (77), an enriched tour to discover as soon as possible

In Vulaines-sur-Seine, the Musée Stéphane Mallarmé celebrates its temporary reopening with an exceptional temporary exhibition, on view until July 14, 2025. Nestling on the banks of the Seine, this literary house-museum offers an immersion into the world of the Symbolist poet, between history, nature and art, before closing its doors for an indefinite period. A poetic interlude to be discovered without delay in the Fontainebleau region of Seine-et-Marne.

The Château de Monte-Cristo, Alexandre Dumas' hidden and unusual home

Discover the Château de Monte-Cristo, the residence imagined by the writer Alexandre Dumas. Set in an English garden on the Saint-Germain-en-Laye side of the Yvelines region, this exuberantly styled 19th-century château and its small Château d'If (Yew Castle) are waiting to be discovered. We take you on a tour of this hidden heritage, listed as a historic monument.

Maison de Claude Debussy: discover the composer's world at Saint-Germain-en-Laye

The Maison de Claude Debussy, the famous French composer, opens its doors to you in the heart of Saint-Germain-en-Laye! This is your chance to enter his world, in the house where he was born, a listed historic monument.

The Caillebotte house, home of the famous Impressionist painter in Yerres (91)

Located in the heart of the beautiful Caillebotte estate, notable for its immense park, the Maison Caillebotte stands out for its large white colonnades: reopened to the public in 2017, it's the perfect opportunity to discover the home of the famous Impressionist painter, Gustave Caillebotte.

The Maison Jean Cocteau in Milly la Forêt, a bucolic interlude between art and history in Essonne

We're off to Essonne, and more precisely to Milly-la-Forêt, to discover the former Maison du Bailli, a place steeped in history that was once the home of Jean Cocteau. Now a museum, the Maison des Illustres is waiting to welcome you.

The Musée Clemenceau: a little-known historic site in Paris

Did you know? There's a little-known museum in Paris that plunges us into the private life of Georges Clemenceau. Nicknamed the Tiger, this former French minister left his mark on the history of the Third Republic. The Musée Clemenceau takes us into his apartment and garden, a timeless place!

The Curie Museum: In the footsteps of Marie Curie and her family

At the heart of the Curie campus, in the 5th arrondissement of Paris near the Panthéon, lies the Musée Curie. Open from Wednesday to Saturday, this free place of memory and knowledge offers an insight into the history of radioactivity and its medical applications.

Musée Delacroix: a must-see museum for Eugène Delacroix lovers in Paris

Discover the Musée Delacroix, a jewel in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, dedicated to the famous painter Eugène Delacroix. Explore the fascinating history of the museum, from its rescue to its transformation into a cultural space, and immerse yourself in contemporary exhibitions. A must for art and history lovers!